UK Military Intelligence Establishes New Agency to Guard Against AI Threats

Reference News Network reported on October 16 According to a report from the American website Politico on October 13, the head of the UK’s MI5 announced on the 13th that British intelligence personnel will play a leading role in preparing to address the threats posed by artificial intelligence (AI). He previously warned that this technology could enable terrorists to acquire biological weapons.

Ken McCallum, the Director General of MI5, established an AI Threat Assessment Center to help determine how the government views potential threats.

In his annual threat assessment speech at MI5 headquarters in London, McCallum stated, “Human history has never provided us with the experience of facing an entity that is smarter than us and can outthink our actions.”

He emphasized the “real” risks of AI, stating that in addition to the dangers posed by AI-driven drones, MI5 has also captured terrorists attempting to use AI to “improve their reconnaissance and attack methods.”

Although it has not yet “become a reality,” he noted that AI has the potential to “change the landscape of existing and even new biological weapon capabilities.”

He said that if the safety barriers in AI models do not function as intended, the destructive capabilities of “low-capability” terrorists may be enhanced.

McCallum also stated that for a long time, “many terrorists have been very eager” to acquire chemical, biological, or radiological weapons, but they have struggled to achieve this. One risk is that AI could enable dangerous knowledge to fall into the hands of those who… would not otherwise possess such knowledge.

McCallum added that there must be “sober attention” to the risk that “AI could generate unprecedented new pathogens.” He indicated that the government is taking “additional measures” regarding biological weapons.

McCallum stated that the department within MI5 focused on the movements of UK adversaries five years out has found that, due to AI, the timeline for threats is shortening.

The new AI Threat Assessment Center will bring together the expertise of institutions such as the UK AI Security Institute, the National Crime Agency, and the National Cyber Security Centre to “distinguish between exaggerated hype and the real threats AI poses to the UK public.”

This is the third such center established by MI5, following similar institutions focused on analyzing terrorism and national threats.

McCallum also stated that MI5 will now prioritize national resilience—such as protecting critical infrastructure, countering cognitive warfare, and addressing technological threats—alongside its dual role in responding to national threats and terrorism as a “top priority.” (Translated by Lu Di)