cross-posted from: https://reddthat.com/post/59458882

By Brett O'Keefe, Associated Civic News Bureau, Cheyenne, Wyo.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Amazon has opened a new biotechnology research facility outside Cheyenne and placed a former federal immigration operations coordinator in charge, drawing scrutiny from public health experts and privacy advocates over the company’s plan to use artificial intelligence to model viruses and test vaccine candidates.

The Amazon Applied BioSystems Lab, located on a fenced campus on the high plains east of the city, will focus on “AI assisted virus modeling and vaccine development,” the company said this week.

Amazon named Daniel R. Cardenas, who previously worked as an operations coordinator for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, as managing director of the site. In that role, Amazon said, Cardenas oversaw logistics and interagency data systems, not scientific programs.

“Mr. Cardenas brings amazing experience in complex operations, security, and compliance,” Amazon spokesperson Lindsey Ortega said in a statement. “Our researchers, not Mr. Cardenas, design and run lab protocols.”

Amazon said the lab will use AI systems to analyze large datasets of viral genomes, generate computer models of possible future strains, and then develop and test vaccine candidates in controlled settings.

“In practical terms, we are modeling potential viral threats before they emerge and evaluating vaccine platforms against those models,” Ortega said. “We are not working on weaponization at this time. We are working on preparedness.”

The company declined to provide details about specific agents or biosafety levels, citing security concerns, but said the facility “meets or exceeds all applicable federal standards.”

Outside experts said the basic idea of using AI to model pathogens and guide vaccine research is not new but raised questions about oversight when carried out by a private tech giant.

“You now have one of the world’s largest data companies running virus modeling and vaccine work in a private lab,” said Dr. Mariah Feld, a biosecurity researcher at a Colorado-based public health institute. “The scientific concept isn’t the issue. The concern is transparency, independent review, and what safeguards are in place if something goes wrong.”

Feld said she would like to see regular external audits and clear limits on what kinds of viral simulations and experiments are permitted.

Amazon said it welcomes “appropriate federal oversight” but did not say whether any outside review body has been established for the lab.

The project has brought jobs and state-level praise. Wyoming officials have touted the facility as evidence the region can attract high-end research and technology investment beyond traditional energy and logistics sectors.

Local reaction has been more mixed.

“We hear ‘Amazon facility’ and think warehouse,” said Derek Lawson, who lives several miles from the site. “Then we hear ‘virus research’ and it’s a different feeling. People want to know what’s inside and what happens if there’s an accident.”

Ortega said the facility’s design includes “multiple layers of physical and digital security,” independent ventilation systems, and redundant monitoring, but declined to discuss specific failure scenarios.

Civil liberties advocates also questioned the choice of a former ICE official to oversee operations at a lab owned by a company already criticized for its reach into consumer and cloud data.

“When you combine a powerful data company, AI, and biological research, who leads the operation matters,” said Erin Blake, an attorney with a digital rights organization. “People will reasonably ask whether decisions are being driven by science, security, or something else.”

Amazon rejected suggestions that the lab will be used to collect health data on customers or to tie vaccine work to consumer services.

“This is a research initiative, not a retail product,” Ortega said. “Our intent is to develop platforms that can be licensed or partnered in the event of future outbreaks.”

State health officials said they have been briefed on the project in general terms but are not involved in day-to-day oversight.

“We are aware of the facility and will monitor any potential public health implications,” a spokesperson for the Wyoming Department of Health said.

“We understand that people have questions,” Ortega said. “But after the last pandemic, doing nothing carries its own risk. Our goal is to be ready before the next one arrives.”

this is indisputable proof that mr @rickyrigatoni@lemmy.ml did 911 firstly he has 911 comments secondly he joined lemmy on september 11 2023 2:25:12pm thirdly he has dedicated his whole account to the mujaden of aghanistan bad guys who did 911

secondly he follows me on wafrn what kind of innocent man does this

the consequences will include rabid salmon

i dont mean those who are paid to do so

their motivation is obvious but i mean people who are productive out of their own motivation and represent untenable points of view i mean are they really serious about this because whats the point

i mean it cant all be the deep state

because what would be the point of trying that with lemmy right who is paid for it listen with AI i can still understand that it could be done very economically but even here there are real people who do it so i have a few questions

• why
• and how did they come up with that
• and what is the goal
• and what drives them to do it

i dont get that at all

fact

there is a NATINAL if not INTERNATINAL network of therapists where they talk about us

source

my sister in law is a therapist and she knows that were having marital problems so answer me this how could she know that unless our marriage counselor TOLD HER and heres the thing we live in florida and she lives in colorado so thats how i know its AT MINIMUM a NATINAL issue

why you should know

THIS IS OBVIOUS

email me your credit card information to order

alt text for folks who cant read

heres a riddle for you

i got in trouble for stealing today but i have a receipt so tell me how that makes any sense

well wine was on sale at one cvs but they ran out so i went to another cvs but it wasnt on sale there so i took it to the other location and bought it there

cops showed up after i paid so i got to keep the wine but they still trespassed me

jesus says i have to forgive them for that but i think i still get a freebee to trespass once against them first so ill keep yall updated

it was posted by me chad mctruth 15 minutes ago and it already has a boost and a favorite as shown in the screenshot

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/40736312

okay so listen i always thought gay guys were actually sexually attracted to other guys and that would be gross right but i just read this book called born that way after all and dr ham and the fatheaded guy suggest that gay guys actually just cant get girls or dont like girls because maybe their balls are messed up and then they do butt stuff with other guys to compensate and this thought never occurred to me

so youre telling me that when my wife wont put out which is always now i could just do butt stuff with guys even though guys dont get me hard and thats fine and thats not really actually gay so long as i dont have the hots for dudes

these authors are pastors i think so that means they know what theyre talking about so what do you think

i dont know a lot about mgtow yet but this kind of life hack seems right up our alley

"Why should women have a 'safe space' where men aren't allowed?" DeSantis asks.

DeSantis specifically suggested that men consider taking hormones like estradiol and spironolactone as a means of becoming more feminine and gaining access to female-only spaces. He framed this as a matter of equality and fairness, arguing that men should be able to participate in all aspects of society, including those traditionally dominated by women.

my nephew sent me this what do you think

When it comes to ICE invading the Sunshine state, "Shoot to kill" DeSantis tells Floridians.

Freshly after passing permitless open carry, Florida governor Ron DeSantis now calls upon patriotic Floridians to defend the state against invasion by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). "It's communism" he says, "we don't do communism here."

insparation

i havent pooed on the sidewalk in nearly two years now

call me right now please

what does no gods no masters mean?

it means being free from all the liberal elites and fake news media who just want to control us and take away our freedom and tell me what to think and how to live my life and whats safe to eat

trump and jesus DO NOT COUNT

theyre not part of the establishment and theyre not trying to control me okay trump is a rebel and a fighter and jesus is the ultimate rebel and free thinker he went against the establishment and challenged the powers that be like his dad and stuff

i believe in being free and independent and not being controlled by anyone or anything that isnt on my side like for example the mcdonalds corporation what do you think

I mean REALLY can we not just elect politicians anymore why do we only elect literal ACTORS?

Don't get me wrong, Cuomover isn't super great in his own way but at least he has years of experience leading people. Which is not the same as being a lead actor in a comedy movie from the 90s!

I just don't see how electing people solely because they're good on screen, or maybe kinda funny like Donald Trump and Ronald Reagan, is a good idea. What real policies does this man have other than a low budget film and great hair?

Sorry just needed to vent about the lack of QUALITY in today's politicians.

and cherry jello and yellow rice are the GOAT combo