MI6 chief calls for new era of spying using AI and robots to combat rogue states
MI6 chief calls for new era of spying using AI and robots
to combat rogue states
By Robert Mendick 2 DECEMBER 2018 • 11:00PM
The head of MI6 will on Monday highlight the urgent need
for a new era of spying in which artificial intelligence and robotics are
deployed to combat rogue states hellbent on “perpetual confrontation” with the
UK.
In a rare public speech - only his second in four years
in the job - Alex Younger, the Chief of MI6, will say that Britain must enter
an age of “fourth generation espionage” to keep the country safe.
The MI6 boss - known as "C" - will also
emphasise the importance of "strengthening" Britain’s security ties
with European allies ahead of Brexit, pointing out that "multiple"
Islamic State-inspired attacks on the Continent have been disrupted thanks to
the co-operation of intelligence agencies.
The speech to students at St Andrew’s University, where
Mr Younger studied, will also warn of the danger of “adversaries” who are
“willing to take advantage” of huge leaps in cyber technology to launch attacks
on Britain “in ways that fall short of traditional warfare”.
Mr Younger will single out Russia for its “malign
behaviour”. The Kremlin had ordered the assassination of Sergei Skripal, a
former colonel in Russian military intelligence who spied for MI6, using nerve
agent smeared on his front door handle in Salisbury.
The public comments will reinforce concerns at the
highest level that the rules-based international order is being flouted by the
likes of Vladimir Putin, Saudia Arabia’s crown prince Mohammed bin Salman and
President Donald Trump.
Mr Younger will say: “The era of the fourth industrial
revolution calls for a fourth generation espionage: fusing our traditional
human skills with accelerated innovation, new partnerships and a mindset that
mobilises diversity and empowers the young.”
The fourth industrial revolution, that follows the
digital revolution of the internet age, is expected to see huge breakthroughs
in the widespread use of artificial intelligence, robotics, nanotechnology and
quantum computing.
Mr Younger will say the combined response to the
Salisbury attack in March had “exposed the perpetrators” and led to dismantling
of Russian spy networks in a host of countries through the expulsion of
diplomats. Mr Younger will “urge Russia or any other state intent on subverting
our way of life not to underestimate our determination and our capabilities, or
those of our allies”.
MI6 will also need to recruit a new generation of younger
spies, from diverse backgrounds, going forward. Aimed at students, he will say:
“I want to speak to young people who have never seen themselves in MI6... it
doesn’t matter where you are from. If you want to make a difference and you
think you might have what it takes, then the chances are that you do have what
it takes, and we hope you will step forward”.
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