Terrorists could use AI to target UK with drones and bioweapons, MI5 chief warns– www.independent.co.uk
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Terrorists could exploit artificial intelligence to target Britain with drones or biological weapons, the head of MI5 has warned.
Speaking after his annual speech at MI5 headquarters in London, Sir Ken McCallum said the UK had entered a “new era of national security” and the security service was directing more resources to keeping Britain safe now than in the Cold War, warning that essential services such as banking, flights, and healthcare were at risk of being disrupted by adversaries, including Iran and Russia.
He warned about the growing threat of AI provoking real fear that terrorists could use the technology for warfare, saying “we’ve caught terrorists seeking to exploit AI to improve their reconnaissance and attack methodologies”.
He said the possibility of AI-enabled drones added “a new twist” for bad actors and warned the greatest concern is “AI’s potential to change the stakes on existing or even new bioweapons”.
“These risks are real. The UK Intelligence Community – MI5, GCHQ, MI6 – is working closely with the UK’s globally respected AI security institute to take them on. Part of that means retaining the capability edge against those who mean the UK harm. As they seek to harness AI, we must stay ahead, so these powerful technologies bolster rather than undermine our shared security,” he said.
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