UK Creates Agency to Fight Russian Disinformation Amplified by AI
Warning that failing to ‘separate fact from fiction’ endangers democracy, Britain's Defence Minister announces Britain will create an agency to tackle hostile propaganda.
LONDON: The UK will create a new agency to fight disinformation coming from adversaries such as Russia and amplified by artificial intelligence.
Warning that a world where the public struggles to separate fact from fiction is a dangerous place for a democracy to be, Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced plans for the National Centre for Information Defence during the UN gathering of world leaders.
Burnham highlighted what he described as an industrial-scale assault by hostile actors on the information environment of the UK and many of its allies.
He specifically accused Russian agencies of using every means at their disposal to spread lies, prey on people's fears, and attempt to interfere with Britain's electoral processes.
Additionally, Moscow faces ongoing accusations of amplifying far-right narratives and stoking tensions or unrest following critical events.
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting reinforced this mission, stating that the newly tasked security center will mobilize trusted voices across civil society to help citizens clearly distinguish reality from propaganda.
As security chiefs begin work to detect, attribute, and disrupt these hostile state attacks, officials warn that rapid technological growth will worsen disinformation and cyber threats.
To address this challenge, Britain is forging an artificial intelligence defense partnership with Washington and taking the lead on establishing robust global standards.
