Government signposts all-new Laboratory for AI Security Research

The Laboratory for AI Security Research will employ a ‘catalytic’-style model, receiving an initial £8.22 million round of central Government funding and inviting further investment and collaboration from industry.

Contributing partners will include the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), the National Cyber Security Centre, the Ministry of Defence’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, the Alan Turing Institute, the AI Safety Institute, the University of Oxford, Queen’s University Belfast and Plexal.

The Laboratory for AI Security Research will seek collaboration with like-minded partners, starting with the Five Eyes countries and NATO allies.

Daily reality

Pat McFadden MP, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster within the Cabinet Office, stated: “Cyber war is now a daily reality. One where our defences 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’s clear we now need NATO more than ever.”

McFadden added: “NATO has remained relevant over the last seven decades by constantly adapting to new threats. It has navigated the worlds of nuclear proliferation and militant nationalism. The move from cold warfare to drone warfare.”

He continued: “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. Our adversaries are also looking at how to use AI on the physical and cyber battlefield.”

Further, McFadden observed: “Be in no doubt that the UK and others are watching Russia. We know exactly what they are doing, and we are countering their attacks both publicly and behind the scenes. History tells us 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. That’s why we support Ukraine in its fight to decide its own destiny. Putin is a man who wants destruction, not peace. He’s trying to deter our support for Ukraine with his threats. He will not be successful.”

McFadden concluded: “For the first time, we’ve seen the US publicly call out a state for using AI to aid its malicious cyber activity. In this case it was North Korea, who had attempted to use AI to accelerate its malware development and scan for cyber security gaps that it could exploit. North Korea is the first, but it will not be the last.”

Incident response project

Alongside the new laboratory, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has announced a new £1 million incident response project for sharing expertise such that allies can respond to cyber incidents more effectively.

Stephen Doughty, Minister for Europe, North America and UK Overseas Territories, said: “AI has enormous potential. To ensure that it remains a force for good in the world, we need to understand its threats and its opportunities.

We’ve launched a new, world-leading research laboratory to enhance AI security and ensure the UK and its allies reap the benefits of AI, while detecting, disrupting and deterring adversaries who would use it to undermine our national security and economic prosperity.”

The Laboratory for AI Security Research builds on the UK’s position as the global birthplace of modern computing, following the pioneering legacy of Alan Turing. It’s part of the Government’s wider work designed to improve the UK’s cyber defences and grow the economy, which includes the forthcoming Cyber Security and Resilience Bill and the recent designation of Data Centres as part of the Critical National Infrastructure.

Richard Cassidy, CISO (EMEA) at Rubrik, commented: “The threat landscape has evolved dramatically in recent years as the widespread availability of AI has empowered cyber criminals’ nefarious activities. To effectively minimise the impact of threats posed to businesses, a balanced approach is always going to be essential. One that combines regulatory measures, knowledge sharing and practical support for affected organisations.”

Cassidy added: “Equally crucial is the development of clear and robust contingency plans, supported by ongoing dialogue between policymakers, lawmakers, industry stakeholders and cyber security experts. By harnessing a collective pool of expertise, we can strengthen the resilience of UK businesses in the face of future challenges.”