UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has unveiled a plan to establish a National Centre for Information Defence, aimed at combating hostile information campaigns, disinformation, and AI-generated deepfakes targeting the United Kingdom. The announcement was made during his address at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Burnham highlighted the centre’s mission to detect, attribute, and disrupt information attacks orchestrated by foreign states, specifically accusing Russia of utilizing bots, fake websites, and falsified content to sway public opinion. He also referenced evidence of Russian attempts to interfere in the UK’s 2019 general election.
The centre will integrate efforts from security agencies, law enforcement, and other organizations to bolster the UK’s defenses against information warfare. Additionally, it aims to enhance public resilience against misleading online content and deepfakes, a growing concern with the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence.
Burnham emphasized the necessity of stronger national and international cooperation to address these challenges, noting the potential for increased scale and impact of information attacks due to AI developments. The UK government intends to share its expertise with other nations facing similar threats, particularly in anticipation of upcoming European elections.