Britain Putin up stronger AI defences to counter growing cyber threats

The government of the United Kingdom on Monday announced the formation of a Laboratory for AI Security Research (LASR) to make the nation more resilient to AI-powered cyber threats from Russia.

"Be in no doubt: the United Kingdom and others in this room are watching Russia," said the Right Honourable Pat McFadden MP, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, at the NATO Cyber Defence Conference on Monday. "We know exactly what they are doing, and we are countering their attacks both publicly and behind the scenes."

McFadden said that Russia is increasingly shifting its offense online rather than putting boots on the ground. As we've seen in the war against Ukraine, Russia has struck infrastructure targets digitally. The Chancellor warned that the situation will get worse, not better.

"Cyber war is now a daily reality. One where our defenses are constantly being tested. The extent of the threat must be matched by the strength of our resolve to combat it and to protect our citizens and systems. 75 years after its foundation, it is clear we need NATO more than ever," he added.

"NATO has stayed relevant over the last seven decades by constantly adapting to new threats. It has navigated the worlds of nuclear proliferation and militant nationalism," McFadden noted. "AI is already revolutionising many parts of life - including national security. But as we develop this technology, there’s a danger it could be weaponised against us. Because our adversaries are also looking at how to use AI on the physical and cyber battlefield."

The office of Chancellor Duchy of Lancaster is far more than a title: it’s the second-most senior Cabinet appointment after the Prime Minister. McFadden’s remarks therefore carry considerable weight.

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The lab will receive £8.22 million ($10.34 million) in seed capital from the UK government and is looking for private support as well. The org will collaborate with various UK entities, including the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory at the Ministry of Defence, the Alan Turing Institute, and the University of Oxford. Nations from NATO and the Five Eyes alliance are also invited to form partnerships.

In addition the UK government is throwing an additional £1 million ($1.23 million) into an incident response project that can warn allies about ongoing threats and deal with incidents as they occur.

"Today we have launched a new, world-leading research lab to enhance AI security to ensure the UK and our allies reap the benefits of AI, while detecting, disrupting and deterring adversaries who would use it to undermine our national security and economic prosperity," added Stephen Doughty, the UK's Minister for Europe, North America and UK Overseas Territories.

New of LASR’s formation was made at the second NATO Cyber Defence Conference. It's hoped that member states will unite against a common foe - and pretty much everyone knows who that is.

"Putin is a man who wants destruction, not peace. He is trying to deter our support for Ukraine with his threats. He will not be successful," McFadden pledged.

"We know from history that appeasing dictators engaged in aggression against their neighbours only encourages them. Britain learned long ago the importance of standing strong in the face of such actions." ®