- UK set to become the first international partner to access
Ukraine's Avengers AI Labs, allowing the two countries to
accelerate the development of AI tools to shape the battlefield
- Signed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime
Minister Andy in Kyiv, the AI Partnership will
see the UK back Ukraine with world-leading universities,
researchers, technology companies and third largest AI
eco-system in the world
- Forms key part of the UK and Ukraine's 100 Year Partnership
and comes after Prime Minister announces that defence firm
MBDA can release classified information on UK components for
the long-range missile, SCALP.
A landmark AI deal between the UK and Ukraine has been signed
today as the two countries join forces to develop new military
capabilities and the technology of the future.
Bringing together Britain's world-leading AI ecosystem with
Ukraine's operational experience, engineering talent and
technological innovation, the new deal signed by President
Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister in Ukraine today will
enable access to Ukraine's coveted Avengers AI Labs
database.
The platform provides real world data and
insights to train AI models, collected by thousands of
daylight cameras and infrared sensors across the battlefield in
Ukraine.
Those sensors and cameras capture millions of objects, such as
tanks, artillery, air defence systems, infantry, and aerial
targets, including Shahed drones and reconnaissance UAVs, feeding
back data to the Avengers Lab to train new AI models.
With potential to revolutionise all parts of public life,
from air traffic control to train systems, the deal will
first focus on defence and national security bringing
together engineers, academics, businesses and military
operational expertise from both countries to
act as an AI cell to solve
key national security challenges for both countries.
The partnership will also see the UK and Ukraine explore further
platforms to collaborate on.
A goldmine of battlefield data, Avengers AI Labs will give
British innovators and researchers unparalleled access to
real-world operational insights and the opportunity
to plug and play'.
In return, the UK will back Ukraine with world-leading
universities, researchers, technology companies and third largest
AI eco-system in the world, allowing Ukraine to draw on
British expertise to accelerate the development of
solutions to urgent challenges, whilst transforming hard-earned
operational experience and unique datasets into technologies with
long-term benefits for both countries.
Prime Minister said:
"Ukraine has become one of the world's leading innovators in
defence technology, forged through courage, ingenuity and the
hard lessons of war.
"This groundbreaking partnership will bring together Ukraine's
unrivalled operational experience with Britain's world-class AI
ecosystem, giving us the opportunity to develop the
technologies of the future, changing lives here in Britain and
saving lives on the battlefield in Ukraine.
"By combining Ukrainian battlefield data with British expertise,
we will accelerate the development of capabilities that not only
strengthen our national security but better protect our critical
infrastructure and growth in every postcode here at home."
As part of the agreement, several pilot projects have
been rolled out with three British startups including
Bristol's Sintela, Oxford's Mind Foundry and London's Skyral.
The first of
the trial technology is about to
be rolled out at a UK defence site to protect bases from
protestors and hostile actors trying to gain
intelligence.
The project, which uses Ukrainian data and UK technology, turns
buried fibre-optic cables into a giant AI-enabled sensor. As
well as military bases, the technology could be rolled out to
protect airports, prisons and even railways and energy plants in
the future.
The second project will see the UK and Ukraine explore the
development of next-generation low-power AI chips designed to
power future drones, robotics and autonomous systems.
If successful, the technology could underpin a new generation of
intelligent machines capable of operating for longer, responding
faster and functioning in environments where conventional systems
struggle.
Defence Secretary said:
Ukraine is pushing the frontier of defence innovation as they
bravely resist Putin's illegal invasion. From supporting with
military equipment and training to co-developing cutting-edge
technology, the UK will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine
for as long as it takes.
By combining the UK's world-leading scientists, engineers and
tech companies with Ukraine's unique battlefield experience and
data, we will strengthen both of our nations' defence and
security.
The deal, which forms a key part of the UK and Ukraine's 100 Year
Partnership, underlines the close relationship between both
countries to drive global security and stability and ensure
Ukraine has the capability and means to defend itself from
Russia's barbaric invasion.
It also comes after the Prime Minister announced that the UK has
agreed that defence firm MBDA can release classified information
on UK components for the long-range missile, SCALP, to establish
local assembly lines in Ukraine.
