MI5 chief warns that artificial intelligence could facilitate terrorists’ access to biological weapons and generate new pathogens

MI5 chief Ken McCallum warned on Tuesday, in a speech delivered at Thames House, that artificial intelligence could facilitate terrorists’ access to biological weapons or even generate new pathogens if the technology’s safety measures fail.

The British official presented the annual assessment of terrorist threats to the United Kingdom and said that the risk posed by biological weapons is the most significant of the potential forms of AI misuse. He noted that the technology is already being used in cyber competition and could contribute to the production of propaganda and personalised radicalisation materials.

McCallum announced that the authorities had identified terrorists attempting to use AI for reconnaissance and drone attacks, adding a new dimension to the threats. He warned that AI could transfer dangerous knowledge to unsuitable individuals or create pathogens unknown until now.

MI5 will establish an AI Threat Assessment Centre in collaboration with the National Crime Agency and the National Cyber Security Centre. McCallum also called for stronger resilience across Britain’s critical infrastructure, society and technology systems.