Detection and mitigation of illegitimate uses of AI in science

Carnegie Mellon University received a $150,000 project grant from the Office of Naval Research (ONR) under the Basic and Applied Scientific Research program (CFDA 12.300), awarded June 1, 2025, with a completion date of May 31, 2028. The project, titled "Detection and Mitigation of Illegitimate Uses of AI in Science," will be performed at the university's Pennsylvania location. This award supports fundamental and applied research addressing the emerging challenge of detecting and mitigating misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies within the scientific research community, aligning with ONR's mission to develop technological capabilities that support naval operations and Marine Corps effectiveness.

The project leverages Carnegie Mellon's extensive expertise in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and computational modeling to develop methodologies and technologies for identifying and countering illegitimate AI applications in scientific contexts. As a competitive, merit-based award selected through peer and scientific review, this grant supports the university's research capabilities and scientific merit in addressing critical issues at the intersection of AI governance and scientific integrity. The three-year performance period reflects the complexity and scope of research required to advance detection and mitigation strategies in this nascent field of scientific importance.