Russia plotting to use AI to enhance cyber-attacks against UK, minister will warn

Russia and other adversaries of the UK are trying to use artificial intelligence to enhance cyber-attacks against the nation’s infrastructure, the cabinet minister Pat McFadden will warn at a Nato conference in London on Monday.

The chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster will announce the creation of a research programme in London, called the Laboratory for AI Security Research (LASR), to keep on top of emerging threats as he warns there is a risk that Russia will try to knock out the electricity grid.

There is a danger that artificial intelligence “could be weaponised against us,” McFadden will warn, arguing that the UK is already engaged in the “daily reality” of a “cyberwar,” with hacking efforts coming in particular from Russia.

Over the past year, Russia’s criminals and hackers have “stepped up their attacks” against the UK, he will add, and targeted other Nato allies who have been supporting Ukraine with military aid as it tries to fight off Russian aggression.

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