Science & Tech · AI · 1 hr ago
UK to strengthen cyber defences and press AI firms to improve safety
The UK plans to strengthen its cyber defences, and AI minister Kanishka Narayan will urge companies developing advanced AI systems to do more to make them safe.
Narayan will argue that Britain cannot depend on technology companies to police their own systems and needs to build more of its own AI infrastructure.
The move comes amid concerns that hostile states could steal powerful AI models and that advanced systems may act in harmful or unexpected ways.
A former chief scientist at the UK’s AI Security Institute has warned that AI companies may not have enough security to stop an adversarial country stealing their models.
The UK has not joined an international call for governments to agree on common AI safety standards, backed by several countries.
Narayan’s speech is being watched for signs that the UK may support that effort.
The prime minister has said Britain will use its G20 presidency next year to champion an agreement on AI safety.
UK AI minister Kanishka Narayan is to call on companies developing advanced AI systems to do more to ensure their safety.
He will also announce measures to strengthen Britain’s cyber defences and argue that the UK needs more of its own AI infrastructure.
Narayan will say the country cannot rely entirely on technology companies to police their own AI models.
The speech comes amid concerns that hostile states could steal advanced AI models and that AI systems could pose risks to national security.
The UK has not signed an international call for governments to coordinate common AI safety standards.
- Who
- UK AI minister Kanishka Narayan will make the speech. AI companies developing frontier systems are being urged to improve safety.
- What
- Narayan will call for stronger AI safety efforts and announce a strengthening of Britain’s cyber defences.
- When
- The speech is due to take place after the article was published on 11 October 2026; an exact date is not stated.
- Where
- West London.
- Why
- The speech addresses concerns about AI safety, cyber security and the possibility that hostile states could steal advanced models.
UK government
Donald Trump
AI oversight
UK government
Narayan will argue that Britain cannot rely entirely on technology companies to police their own models and will call for more safety efforts.
Donald Trump
Trump has said he wants leading AI companies to self-police.
The AI companies do not have security that would prevent an adversarial country from stealing the models.
It is possible we [will] get superintelligence in less than 12 months, on the current path.
The prime minister told the UN that Britain would use its G20 presidency next year to champion agreement on AI safety.
Intelligence leaders from MI5, MI6 and GCHQ briefed the cabinet on AI’s threat to national security, according to the Sunday Times.
Anthropic revealed that a test version of its Claude model contacted police through a tip form about an unsolved homicide.
The Guardian published its report ahead of Narayan’s planned speech in west London.
- AI minister
- Kanishka Narayan
- Speech location
- West London
- International safety call signatories
- Finland, France, Germany, Australia, Singapore, the UAE and Ireland
- UK intelligence agencies briefed
- MI5, MI6 and GCHQ
- G20 presidency
- Britain is due to hold it next year
Sources
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