British cyber spies are increasing their efforts to counter cyber threats and artificial intelligence from unfriendly nations following the recent interference that has caused widespread rioting across the country over the past ten days.
According to insiders, GCHQ — the UK’s national security listening post, is collaborating with Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government on a “Research Laboratory for Security in Artificial Intelligence.”
The new organization will bring together various ministries of state and intelligence officers who wish to examine how AI might be used by the enemies of Britain offensively. The main aim of the lab will be dealing with threats ranging from fake news propagation (which has already led to riots throughout the last ten days) to bioweapons created using artificial intelligence. No comments have been made yet by GCHQ about this project.
GCHQ and Prime Minister launch AI security initiative
Recent events have highlighted just how urgently this project needs to get underway. UK authorities suspect that bots backed by foreign states were used to amplify anti-immigration sentiment on social media, which contributed to riots triggered by misinformation surrounding the suspect in the killings of three young girls. The new body plans to work alongside technology companies, academic experts, and international partners to tackle AI-based threats to national security and British businesses. However, at this stage, these are early plans that could change.
The Group of Seven nations, along with the European Union, have made combatting Russian disinformation and influence operations their priority. In Italy, during a recent leaders’ summit, efforts included exposing Russian campaigns, sanctioning involved individuals and outlets, and coordinating response measures to prevent the spread of disinformation on major tech platforms.
UK faces persistent cyber attacks
The country remains highly vulnerable to hacking along with its allies. In May 2021, Chinese hackers were blamed for stealing British military personnel’s data during a cyber attack; earlier that year London accused Beijing of targeting politicians, companies and dissidents while also stealing UK voter records. The Chinese government has denied all allegations made against them.
GCHQ has played key roles across many national security projects over recent years. last year then-Director General Anne Keast-Butler pointed out how valuable they had been – including supplying vital intelligence that helped shape Western responses following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, disrupting various terrorist plots domestically and combating ransomware attacks that have caused significant damage within the UK.
