- AI is ‘revolutionizing many aspects of life – including national security’, says Chancellor of Duchy of Lancaster
- New AI Security Research Lab which will partner with world-leading experts from UK universities, intelligence agencies and industry to strengthen the UK’s cyber resilience and support growth launched by the government.
- The new research will receive around £8 million in initial government funding, with industry encouraged to invest in the partnership to support future research.
“NATO must continue to adapt to the world of AI, because as the technology evolves, the threat evolves,” the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster will declare on Monday at the NATO Cyber Defense Conference in Lancaster House.
To help the UK stay ahead in the ‘new AI arms race’, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster will announce the creation of a new AI Security Research Laboratory (LASR) to protect the UK and its allies from new threats, stating:
The Lab will bring together world-class industry, academic and government experts to assess the impact of AI on our national security.
While AI can amplify existing cyber threats, it can also create better cyber defense tools and provides intelligence agencies with the ability to collect, analyze and produce more useful intelligence.
The AI Security Research Lab will employ a “catalytic” model, receiving an initial government funding of £8.22 million, inviting further investment and collaboration from industry.
Partners will include the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, Ministry of Science Innovation and Technology, Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), National Cyber Security Centre, Ministry of Defense Science and Technology Laboratory Defense, the Alan Turing Institute, the AI Safety Institute, the university. from Oxford, Queen’s University Belfast and Plexal. The lab will seek collaboration with like-minded partners, starting with Five Eyes countries and NATO allies.
Speaking to cybersecurity and defense experts, he will say that:
Cyberwar is now a daily reality. One where our defenses are constantly tested. The scale of the threat must match the strength of our resolve to combat it and protect our citizens and systems. 75 years after its creation, it is clear that we need NATO more than ever.
NATO has remained relevant over the past seven decades by constantly adapting to new threats. He spanned the worlds of nuclear proliferation and militant nationalism. The transition from the Cold War to drone warfare.
This is NATO’s second cyber defense conference and the first to be held in London. The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster will warn:
AI is already revolutionizing many areas of life, including national security. But as we develop this technology, there is a risk that it will be used as a weapon against us. Because our adversaries are also thinking about how to use AI on the physical and cyber battlefield.
And he will say:
Have no doubt: the UK and others in this room are watching Russia. We know exactly what they are doing and we are fighting back against their attacks, both publicly and behind the scenes.
History shows us that appeasing dictators engaged in aggression against their neighbors only encourages them. Britain has long understood the importance of standing firm in the face of such actions.
This is why we support Ukraine in its struggle to decide its own destiny. Putin is a man who wants destruction, not peace. His threats attempt to dissuade our support for Ukraine. He will not succeed.
It will also reflect that:
Last year, we saw for the first time the United States publicly denounce a state that uses AI to support its malicious cyber activities. In this case, it was North Korea that attempted to use AI to accelerate the development of malware and detect cybersecurity vulnerabilities that it could exploit. North Korea is the first, but it will not be the last.
Alongside the new laboratory, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster will also announce a new £1 million incident response project to share expertise so allies can respond more effectively to cyber incidents.
Stephen Doughty, Minister for Europe, North America and British Overseas Territories, will also attend the conference at Lancaster House. He said:
AI has enormous potential. To ensure it remains a force for good in the world, we must understand its threats and opportunities.
Today we launched a new cutting-edge research lab to strengthen AI security to 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.
LASR builds on the UK’s position as the global birthplace of modern computing, following the pioneering legacy of Alan Turing. This is part of the Government’s wider work to improve the UK’s cyber defenses and grow the economy, which includes the upcoming Cyber Security and Resilience Bill and the recent designation of data centers as critical national infrastructure .