British spies will seek to counter the threat of Russian cyber warfare with a new laboratory for artificial intelligence, a minister will announce, as he insists Vladimir Putin will fail to deter support for Ukraine.
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster will say the UK and its Nato allies are “watching” Moscow and combatting its attacks both publicly and “behind the scenes” as he delivers a major speech on Monday.
In an apparent reference to the lead-up to the Second World War, he will warn that Britain “learned long ago” to not appease dictators and that Mr Putin “will not be successful” in attempting to weaken backing for Ukraine.
Mr McFadden, whose brief includes national security, will also announce a new Laboratory for AI Security Research (LAISR) aimed at helping the UK stay ahead in “the new AI arms race”.
The centre will bring together GCHQ, Oxford University, the National Cyber Security Centre, the Alan Turing Institute and numerous Government departments, and be backed by an initial £8.22 million in state funding.
Speaking at the Nato cyber defence conference at Lancaster House, Mr McFadden will 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.”
Mr McFadden will also warn that cyber interference enables Russia to “turn the lights off for millions of people” by shutting down power grids and represents the “hidden war” it is waging against Kyiv.
But while AI can amplify existing cyber threats, it can also create better defence tools for security agencies to use to collect, analyse, and produce more useful intelligence, he will say.
“Cyber war is now a daily reality,” Mr McFadden is expected to tell allies.
“One where our defences are constantly being tested. The extent of the threat must be matched by the strength of our resolve to combat it and to protect our citizens and systems.”
He will add: “AI is already revolutionising many parts of life – including national security. But as we develop this technology, there’s a danger it could be weaponised against us. Because our adversaries are also looking at how to use AI on the physical and cyber battlefield.”
Alongside the new laboratory, the minister will also announce a new £1 million incident response scheme designed to share expertise so that allies can counter cyber attacks more effectively.
Mr McFadden and senior national security officials will also meet business leaders next week to discuss how they can protect themselves as he warns Russia will “not think twice” about targeting British firms.
The intervention comes amid a dramatic escalation in tensions between Russia and the west, with Mr Putin lowering Moscow’s threshold for the use of nuclear weapons and suggesting the Ukraine war is becoming a “global” conflict.
The Russian leader has said he is entitled to target the military facilities of countries which have supplied weapons to Kyiv.
On Thursday, Moscow used a new ballistic missile in Ukraine, which Mr Putin said was in response to the UK and US allowing missiles they have supplied to be used to strike targets in Russia.
Ministers have declined to explicitly confirm that British missiles have been used across the border, but the UK is widely believed to have allowed its Storm Shadow weapons to be used by Ukrainian forces within the Kursk region.
Meanwhile, the US has given permission for its ATACMS weapons to be fired at targets in Mr Putin’s country.
Moscow sent 73 drones into Ukraine overnight into Sunday. According to Ukraine’s air force, 50 drones were destroyed and four lost, likely having been electronically jammed.
In Russia, the defence ministry said 34 Ukrainian drones were shot down overnight into Sunday in four regions of western Russia, including Kursk, Lipetsk, Belgorod and one over the Oryol region.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel