Terrorists could use AI to target UK with drones and bioweapons, MI5 chief warns
MI5 director general Sir Ken McCallum said terrorists may use artificial intelligence to improve reconnaissance and plan attacks in Britain. He highlighted risks involving drones and biological weapons.
McCallum said AI-enabled drones could create new dangers, while the technology might increase the threat posed by existing or future bioweapons. He called the current period a new era for national security.
He urged a broad effort to protect essential services, warning that cyber-attacks could disrupt banking or hospital care and drones could interfere with flights.
McCallum said Iranian activity was expanding and referred to a suspected plot against RAF Fairford. He reported more than 50 arrests in Iran-linked investigations over the past year, while MI5’s state-threat workload has grown substantially.
He also identified Russia as the leading state aggressor and said cases under the National Security Act have involved Russia, Iran and China. MI5 will continue addressing threats from both hostile states and terrorists.
Key points
- MI5 warned AI could help terrorists with reconnaissance, attacks, drones and bioweapons.
- McCallum called for society-wide protection of infrastructure and essential services.
- MI5 cited growing state-threat investigations involving Iran, Russia and China.