The technology secretary has set out his vision for a revitalised AI Security Institute.
Safeguarding Britain's national security and protecting citizens from crime will become founding principles of the UK’s approach to the responsible development of artificial intelligence.
Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Peter Kyle has announced a new name for the UK AI Security Institute, which will reflect its focus on serious AI risks with security implications.
This focus includes how the technology can be used to develop chemical and biological weapons, how it can be used to carry out cyber-attacks, and enable crimes such as fraud and child sexual abuse.
The Institute will partner across government, including with the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, the Ministry of Defence’s science and technology organisation, to assess the risks posed by frontier AI.
A new criminal misuse team will also be launched to work jointly with the Home Office to conduct research on a range of crime and security issues.
One of these areas of focus will be the use of AI to make child sexual abuse images, with this new team exploring methods to help to prevent abusers from harnessing the technology to carry out their appalling crimes.
Secretary of state for science, innovation, and technology, Peter Kyle said: "The changes I’m announcing today represent the logical next step in how we approach responsible AI development – helping us to unleash AI and grow the economy as part of our Plan for Change.
"The work of the AI Security Institute won’t change, but this renewed focus will ensure our citizens – and those of our allies - are protected from those who would look to use AI against our institutions, democratic values, and way of life.
"The main job of any government is ensuring its citizens are safe and protected, and I’m confident the expertise our Institute will be able to bring to bear will ensure the UK is in a stronger position than ever to tackle the threat of those who would look to use this technology against us."
Chair of the AI Security Institute, Ian Hogarth said: "The Institute’s focus from the start has been on security and we’ve built a team of scientists focused on evaluating serious risks to the public.
"Our new criminal misuse team and deepening partnership with the national security community mark the next stage of tackling those risks."
