Terrorists are planning AI-enabled drone attacks on the UK, according to Sir Ken McCallum, the head of MI5, who spoke on Tuesday. He stated that artificial intelligence is enhancing the terrorist threat, allowing potential attacks using drones and bioweapons. Following advancements in drone technology observed in Ukraine, MI5 is concerned that terrorist groups may adopt these technologies for attacks in the UK.
Sir Ken highlighted that both terrorists and hostile states could exploit AI to develop new pathogens that could cause widespread harm. In his annual address, he noted that the national security risks associated with AI are receiving significant attention within MI5, which is increasing its resources to counter state threats, a caseload that has quadrupled in the last decade.
He explained that AI is already intensifying the cyber-security landscape, enabling the creation of tailored propaganda and radicalizing material. Sir Ken mentioned that terrorists have been attempting to use AI to enhance their reconnaissance and attack strategies, with AI-enabled drones presenting new challenges.
He pointed to the potential misuse of AI in bioweapons, stating that while this risk has not yet materialized, it warrants serious consideration. A recent internal review by Chinese AI developer Moonshot revealed that researchers managed to manipulate two of its models to provide instructions on creating biological weapons and carrying out assassinations.
A report from Anthropic indicated that criminals and state-sponsored groups have sought to use AI models to design missiles, bombs, and develop deadly pathogens. Sir Ken acknowledged that groups like Al Qaeda could exploit AI to find vulnerabilities in virus research and development in the UK.
When questioned about the possibility of AI transforming the common cold into a lethal virus, he expressed concerns that less sophisticated actors could gain enhanced capabilities in the AI era if safety measures fail. He emphasized that while many terrorists have long sought chemical, biological, or radiological weaponry, achieving this has historically been challenging.
He announced the establishment of an AI threat assessment center within MI5 to evaluate emerging threats. In his speech at Thames House, Sir Ken also addressed the risk of proxy attacks from Russia and Iran, noting that Iran has ambitions to target military sites and that there have been over 50 arrests in the UK related to Iranian activities in the past year. He described Russia as the primary aggressor, with ongoing intimidation tactics linked to the war in Ukraine.
Additionally, he reported a significant rise in extreme Right-wing terrorism, which is connected to the migrant crisis, stating that there has been an increase in cases where extremist anti-immigration and anti-Muslim sentiments are escalating into terrorist intentions.