UK to fight Russian disinformation and push AI standards
Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced a new disinformation defence centre at the UN and pushed for global AI safety standards.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- UK establishes the National Centre for Information Defence to counter Russian disinformation.
- Burnham states the Kremlin spends around £1.3 billion annually on information manipulation.
- PM pushes for global AI safety standards during his address at the UN General Assembly.
- The US and China have not signed the international declaration on AI human oversight.
The United Kingdom is set to establish a new center to stem the tide of disinformation originating from hostile states like Russia, while spearheading global efforts to set safety standards for artificial intelligence following industry warnings about existential threats.
Addressing the UN General Assembly, Prime Minister Andy Burnham accused Russia of running a large-scale disinformation campaign, revealing that the Kremlin spends approximately £1.3 billion each year on information manipulation. He noted the use of bots, fake websites, falsified articles, and the forgery of branding belonging to 28 British organizations, including universities and the BBC.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
To counter these tactics, Burnham announced the creation of the National Centre for Information Defence to detect and disrupt AI-driven disinformation campaigns. The facility will collaborate closely with intelligence agencies, government departments, law enforcement, and social media platforms to tackle information warfare.
This new initiative underscores London's heightened vigilance regarding national security and technological threats, building upon previous government assessments that pointed to Russian interference in the 2019 UK general election. By uniting technical expertise and regulatory oversight, the UK aims to construct a robust defense against modern cognitive threats.
"The Kremlin spends around £1.3 billion each year on manipulating information."
Andy Burnham
On artificial intelligence regulation, Burnham emphasized the UK's unique position as an honest broker with strong ties to both the US and the European Union. His administration has warned that further legislation may be introduced if voluntary commitments from developers prove insufficient to safeguard the public.
Despite international momentum—including a declaration supported by over 20 nations calling for human control and mandatory pre-release testing—major AI superpowers such as the United States and China have yet to sign on. US President Donald Trump rejected globalist schemes to control AI during his address, highlighting ongoing diplomatic hurdles for international governance.
Source: BBC Politics
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