The UK's national institute for AI and data science has urged lawmakers to utilise AI tech to enhance the country's security capabilities.

In a new report, the Centre for Emerging Technology and Security (CETaS),, a research centre based at The Alan Turing Institute, claims that AI tools could improve intelligence analysis by processing data more quickly and accurately, adding that AI tools can identify patterns, trends and anomalies beyond human capabilities.

The researcher cautions that not using AI would be a “missed opportunity” and could undermine the value of intelligence assessments.

Commissioned by the Joint Intelligence Organisation (JIO) and Government Communication Headquarters (GCHQ), the report however warns that the technology has risks and recommends continuous monitoring and evaluation during development by humans to help counteract biases.

Additional recommendations made by the report include upskilling intelligence analysts and providing additional training and guidance for strategic decision-makers to help them understand the new uncertainties introduced by AI-enriched intelligence.

Commenting on the report’s publication, Dr Alexander Babuta, director of The Alan Turing Institute’s CETaS said: “Our research has found that AI is a critical tool for the intelligence analysis and assessment community. But it also introduces new dimensions of uncertainty, which must be effectively communicated to those making high-stakes decisions based on AI-enriched insights.

“As the national institute for AI, we will continue to support the UK intelligence community with independent, evidence-based research, to maximise the many opportunities that AI offers to help keep the country safe.”

The safe use of AI is becoming increasingly central to conversations around the technology’s implementation in the UK, with the government recently publishing the findings of its own consultation on a pro-innovation approach to AI regulation.

According to the US International Trade Administration, the UK AI market is predicted to grow to over $1 trillion by 2035.

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