LONDON — Artificial intelligence systems that operate without human oversight could one day pose a national security threat, the head of Britain’s domestic intelligence agency warned Thursday.
In his annual speech on threats to Britain, MI5 Director General Ken McCallum said the agency already uses AI to enhance its operations, while terrorists and hostile states exploit the technology for propaganda, cyberattacks, and election interference.
“In 2025, while contending with today’s threats, we also need to scope out the next frontier — potential future risks from non-human, autonomous AI systems that may evade human oversight and control,” McCallum said.
He cautioned against “hype and scare-mongering,” adding that he was not forecasting “Hollywood movie scenarios.” Still, he said intelligence agencies must think seriously about what “defending the realm” will mean as AI capabilities advance.
“Artificial intelligence may never ‘mean’ us harm,” McCallum said. “But it would be reckless to ignore the potential for it to cause harm. We’re on the case.”