Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden has revealed the establishment of a new Laboratory for AI Security Research (LASR) to ensure the UK remains at the forefront of the evolving “AI arms race”.
Announced during the Nato Cyber Defence Conference held in UK capital London, the laboratory aims to safeguard the UK and its allies from emerging threats in the field of AI.
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Backed by an initial £8.22m ($10.34m) in government funding, LASR will collaborate with entities such as the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, among others.
The laboratory will also engage with Five Eyes countries and Nato allies.
McFadden said: “Cyberwar 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 is clear we need Nato more than ever.
“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. The move from cold warfare to drone warfare.”
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By GlobalDataHe cautioned: “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.”
In September this year, Western intelligence agencies reported that Russian cyberattacks were targeting allied military assistance to Ukraine.
McFadden also warned of other UK adversaries such as Iran, North Korea, and China employing sophisticated cyber tactics, posing a global threat.
In addition to LASR, McFadden announced a £1m incident response project to enhance allies’ abilities to respond to cyber incidents effectively.
Meanwhile, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority launched the Group Cyberspace Collaboration Centre in Herdus House, Cumbria, England.
The facility aims to accelerate collaboration among nuclear operators and the sector’s supply chain, focusing on adopting technologies such as AI and robotics to defend against cyber threats to the system.
Representatives from the UK government, the nuclear sector, regulators, and the nuclear supply chain attended the facility’s opening.
