MI5 head warns of growing threats from Russia Iran and AI

The Director General of MI5, Sir Ken McCallum, gave an annual speech at the domestic intelligence service's headquarters in London on Tuesday. BBC News and RTÉ reported that McCallum warned foreign state threats have quadrupled over the last decade. He stated that MI5 is currently devoting more resources to countering state threats than during the Cold War. [1][2]

BBC News and RTÉ both reported that Russia is escalating its hybrid operations as it reacts against allies of Ukraine, with McCallum labeling Russia as aggressor number one. RTÉ added that Iran is stepping up attempts to hit military sites in Britain. BBC News noted that terrorism and state threat missions are now of equal scale for the intelligence agency. [1][2]

Artificial intelligence risks were also highlighted during the address. BBC News and RTÉ both reported that McCallum warned artificial intelligence could be misused to develop bioweapons. RTÉ reported his concern that terrorists might use artificial intelligence to create novel pathogens, while BBC News noted threats regarding drone development. [1][2]

Concerns over artificial intelligence risks have been raised previously. As FTMQ News reported earlier, a study in The Lancet identified artificial intelligence misuse and nuclear conflict as major risks to human health. [15]