  The expanding application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in scientific
fields presents unprecedented opportunities for discovery and innovation.
However, this growth is not without risks. AI models in science, if misused,
can amplify risks like creation of harmful substances, or circumvention of
established regulations. In this study, we aim to raise awareness of the
dangers of AI misuse in science, and call for responsible AI development and
use in this domain. We first itemize the risks posed by AI in scientific
contexts, then demonstrate the risks by highlighting real-world examples of
misuse in chemical science. These instances underscore the need for effective
risk management strategies. In response, we propose a system called SciGuard to
control misuse risks for AI models in science. We also propose a red-teaming
benchmark SciMT-Safety to assess the safety of different systems. Our proposed
SciGuard shows the least harmful impact in the assessment without compromising
performance in benign tests. Finally, we highlight the need for a
multidisciplinary and collaborative effort to ensure the safe and ethical use
of AI models in science. We hope that our study can spark productive
discussions on using AI ethically in science among researchers, practitioners,
policymakers, and the public, to maximize benefits and minimize the risks of
misuse.
