UK pledges £600m to defend against AI health and security threats
The UK has pledged to spend £600m to defend the public against threats to health and security from artificial intelligence.
By Sky News
The UK Government has pledged around £600 million to protect the public from health, biosecurity and cyber threats linked to artificial intelligence.
The package includes £100 million for a new AI Biosecurity Lab, which will use artificial intelligence to help detect biological threats. A further £65 million will support the development of countermeasures against pathogens.
OpenAI and Anthropic are expected to provide up to £200 million in AI model credits and technical support for the initiative.
The Government has also allocated £120 million to the UK’s AI Security Institute, which develops methods and standards for assessing the risks posed by advanced AI systems.
A further £130 million will fund projects aimed at improving cyber defences for critical infrastructure and the wider economy. This includes work connected with the National Cyber Shield and the National Exposure and Real-Time Vulnerability Centre.
The wider package includes £60 million for British companies working in robotics, autonomous systems and manufacturing, alongside funding for AI research, chip design and healthcare policy.
Regional mayors will receive £30 million to support local artificial intelligence projects. The National Cyber Security Centre will also expand its presence in Manchester, although the amount allocated to that work has not been specified.
The funding was announced ahead of the Government’s Budget.