“Cyber war is now a daily reality”, UK government minister says

Minister for intergovernmental relations Pat McFadden is to warn Nato of a looming Russian cyber-attack as he announced a new research lab to stay ahead in the “new AI arms race”.

Speaking at the NATO Cyber Defence Conference, taking place at Lancaster House today, McFadden will warn members that AI “could be weaponised against us”, adding adversaries are looking into using the technology “on the physical and cyber battlefield”.

The minister will tell members that Russia is “exceptionally aggressive and reckless in the cyber realm”, warning that a potential attack could "turn the lights off for millions of people" by shutting down power grids.

He is expected to 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.”

In a bid to stay ahead in the AI arms race McFadden has announced a new “world-class” Laboratory for AI Security Research (LASR).

The lab will see academia, government, industry work together “to assess the impact of AI on our national security”, he said: “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.”

Partners will include the Foreign Office, the Department for Science Innovation and Technology, Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), the 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.

It will also attempt to collaborate with “like-minded” partners, the UK Government said, starting with the Five Eyes countries and Nato allies.

Stephen Doughty, minister for Europe, North America and UK overseas territories, who will also attend the conference, 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."

McFadden will also announce a new £1m incident response project to share expertise so that allies can respond to cyber incidents more effectively.

Earlier this year, the UK Government formally accused China of being behind a string of cyber-attacks against the Electoral Commission and a group of MPs, including former SNP MP Stewart McDonald. The government imposed sanctions, including a travel ban, on Chinese state-affiliated organisations and individuals as a result of the attacks.

However, the Chinese embassy said the UK Government's accusations were "completely unfounded" claims amounting to "malicious slander".