UK creates AI Security Research Lab (LASR) to help protect Britain and his allies against emerging threats in what officials describe as an “AI arms race.”
The lab – which will receive an initial government funding of £8.22 million – aims to bring together experts from industry, academia and government to assess the impact of AI on national security. The announcement is part of a wider strategy to strengthen the UK’s cyber defense capabilities.
Speaking at the NATO Cyber Defense Conference at Lancaster House, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster said: “NATO must continue to adapt to the world of AI, because as technology evolves, the threat evolves.
“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.
The Chancellor painted a bleak picture of the current cybersecurity landscape: “Cyberwar is now an everyday 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.
The new laboratory will operate under a “catalytic” model, designed to attract additional investment and collaboration from industry partners.
Key stakeholders for the new laboratory include GCHQ, the National Cyber Security Centre, the MOD Defense Science and Technology Laboratory and prestigious academic institutions such as the University of Oxford and Queen’s University Belfast.
In a direct warning about Russia’s activities, the Chancellor said: “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.”
Reaffirming his support for Ukraine, he added: “Putin is a man who wants destruction, not peace. His threats attempt to dissuade our support for Ukraine. He will not succeed.
The new lab follows recent concerns about the use of AI by state actors to augment existing security threats.
“Last year, we saw for the first time the United States publicly denouncing a state that uses AI to support its malicious cyber activities,” noted the Chancellor, referring to North Korea’s attempts to use AI for malware development and vulnerability analysis.
Stephen Doughty, UK Minister for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories, highlighted the dual nature of AI technology: “AI has enormous potential. To ensure it remains a force for good in the world, we must understand its threats and opportunities.
Alongside the LASR, the Government announced a new £1 million incident response project to strengthen collaborative cyber defense capabilities between allies. The lab will prioritize collaboration with Five Eyes countries and NATO allies, building on the UK’s historic strength in computing, dating back to the groundbreaking work of Alan Turing .
The initiative is part of the government’s overall approach to cybersecurity, which includes the next Cybersecurity and Resilience Bill and the recent classification of data centers as essential national infrastructure.
(Photo by Erik Mclean)
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