London – In his annual threat assessment, MI5 Director General Ken McCallum warned that the United Kingdom has entered a “new era of national security” in which artificial intelligence (AI) is amplifying the capabilities of hostile foreign states and terrorist groups. Speaking to senior officials and security partners, McCallum said the balance of threats has shifted dramatically: “Our terrorism and state threats operational missions are now roughly equal in scale,” a change he described as unprecedented since the post‑Cold War period.
AI as a force multiplier for hostile actors
McCallum highlighted that AI is already being used to accelerate cyber‑attacks, sabotage and coercive operations. He announced the creation of a new AI Threat Assessment Center within MI5 to monitor and counter these emerging dangers. While the technology offers many civilian benefits, the security chief warned that it also raises the specter of AI‑enabled bioweapons, though no such weapons have yet been produced.
One of the chief concerns, McCallum said, is that “comparatively low‑sophistication actors may have a capability uplift in the AI era” if governments fail to put effective guardrails around the technology. He urged swift legislative and regulatory action to ensure that AI development proceeds within a framework that protects national safety.
State threats now outweigh Cold‑War era levels
According to McCallum, MI5 is devoting more resources to countering state‑sponsored threats than it did during the Cold War, with the caseload of such threats having “quadrupled” over the past decade. He stressed that this is not a temporary blip but a sustained shift in the strategic environment.
Russia remains the top aggressor, continuing its “hybrid warfare” campaign across Europe. Recent examples include a cyber‑attack on Polish energy infrastructure and an attempted explosive‑laden drone strike on a cargo plane in Germany. In the UK, a man was recently charged under the National Security Act for allegedly planning to sabotage a drone factory in Swindon.
While Russia’s traditional espionage capacity has been weakened—over 1,000 Russian intelligence officers have been expelled from host nations since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine—McCallum noted that Moscow is now “paying criminals to do their bidding,” a troubling development that could further destabilise the security landscape.
Iranian and Chinese espionage activities
Iran has also intensified its hybrid campaign, with more than 50 arrests linked to Iran‑connected plots, many targeting British Jewish communities. McCallum referenced an alleged Iranian attempt to strike a military site at RAF Fairford, describing the incident as “not unique” and indicative of a broader pattern.
China’s espionage efforts were cited as well. MI5 recently issued an alert to the academic community regarding Chinese intelligence operations, and earlier this year secured the first convictions for national‑security offences tied to Beijing.
Domestic terrorism remains a top concern
Despite the growing state threat, McCallum reaffirmed that terrorism “remains a top concern for MI5” and warned that a major attack is “highly likely” without continued vigilance.
The director’s briefing underscores the need for the United Kingdom to bolster resilience, invest in advanced detection capabilities, and enact robust AI governance. As AI continues to reshape the threat landscape, the MI5 leadership is calling on policymakers, industry and the public to work together to safeguard the nation’s security.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
