UK moves to harden national defences against AI threats with new cross‑government push

On October 12, 2026, the UK government announced a major upgrade of its national defences against risks stemming from artificial intelligence. The plan reframes AI not just as an economic opportunity but as a security issue, covering threats such as AI‑enabled cyberattacks, large‑scale phishing campaigns and deepfake‑driven disinformation.

Under the new measures, government departments will be required to update their security and contingency plans on the assumption that attackers may leverage powerful foundation models to automate hacking or generate realistic fake audio and video. Operators of critical infrastructure, from energy and transport to telecoms, will receive new guidance on defending against AI‑generated phishing and social‑engineering attempts.

The government also plans to expand a specialist “AI risk assessment” capability that works with external researchers to stress‑test worst‑case scenarios, including misuse of AI systems for chemical or biological threats. At the same time, ministers stress that the UK still wants to be a leading hub for safe AI deployment and industrial use, positioning tighter defences as a way to build trust rather than to slow innovation. Balancing robust safeguards with the country’s growth ambitions will be the key political and policy challenge from here.