“NATO needs to continue to adapt to the world of AI, because as
the tech evolves, the threat evolves”, the Chancellor of the
Duchy of Lancaster will tell the NATO Cyber Defence Conference at
Lancaster House on Monday.
To help the UK stay ahead in the “new AI arms race” the
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster will announce a new
Laboratory for AI Security Research (LASR) to protect the UK and
its allies against new threats, saying:
“The lab will pull 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 defence tools and presents opportunities for
intelligence agencies to collect, analyse, and produce more
useful intelligence.”
The Laboratory for AI Security Research will employ a ‘catalytic'
model, receiving an initial £8.22m round of government funding,
inviting further investment and collaboration from industry.
Partners will include the Foreign Commonwealth and Development
Office, the Department for Science Innovation and Technology,
Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), National Cyber
Security Centre, the MOD'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 will seek collaboration with like-minded partners,
starting with the Five Eyes countries and NATO allies.
Addressing cyber and defence experts, he will say that:
“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 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.
The gathering is the second ever NATO Cyber Defence Conference
and the first to be held in London. The Chancellor of the Duchy
of Lancaster will caution: “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.”
And he will say:
“Be in no doubt: the United Kingdom and others in this room are
watching Russia. We know exactly what they are doing, and we are
countering their attacks both publicly and behind the
scenes.
“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.
“That's why we support Ukraine in its fight to decide its own
destiny. 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.”
He will also reflect that:
“Last year, we saw the US for the first time 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 cybersecurity gaps it could
exploit. North Korea is the first, but it won't be the
last.”
Alongside the new laboratory, the Chancellor of the Duchy of
Lancaster will also announce a new £1m incident response project
to share expertise so that allies can respond to cyber incidents
more effectively.
, Minister for Europe, North
America and UK 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 need to understand its threats and its
opportunities.
“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.”
LASR builds on the UK's position as the global birthplace of
modern computing, following the pioneering legacy of Alan Turing.
It is part of the government's wider work to improve the UK's
cyber defences and grow the economy, which includes the
forthcoming Cyber Security and Resilience Bill and recent
designation of data centres as critical national infrastructure.
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