British Prime Minister Andy Burnham is set to announce on Tuesday a new defence partnership between Britain and the United States on artificial intelligence and autonomous systems, aimed at strengthening the protection of critical infrastructure and monitoring threats, as part of efforts to encourage countries to expand their use of the technology in security matters.
Burnham to propose technological cooperation at the United Nations
In a speech during the United Nations General Assembly meetings, Burnham is expected to call for international cooperation in using technology to enhance security and help ease pressures linked to the cost of living. The meetings mark his first multilateral engagement as prime minister, and he is also due to meet US President Donald Trump.
Burnham said in a statement that Britain brought the world’s leading economies together when the global financial crisis broke out, adding that his country would show the same leadership in addressing the opportunities and challenges posed by artificial intelligence.
Partnership brings together artificial intelligence and autonomous systems
He said this ambition was embodied in the new defence partnership with the United States on artificial intelligence and autonomous systems, which, in his words, would bring together the brightest minds to strengthen the protection of critical infrastructure, deter actors that threaten security and harness the vast potential of artificial intelligence. The cooperation is expected to help Britain protect its critical infrastructure across an area stretching from sea lanes to airspace.
London and Washington maintain close cooperation spanning security, technology, finance and foreign policy, despite public disagreements during Trump’s two presidential terms. Britain is ranked the world’s third-largest artificial intelligence market after the United States and China, amid early signs that the technology could help revive its sluggish economy.
At the same time, concerns are growing that safety efforts are failing to keep pace with the rapid development of the capabilities of new systems. Britain established an AI Safety Institute after hosting the first global summit on the technology’s safety in 2023. The institute tests advanced models and assesses their capabilities and the potential for misuse.
Reports said Anthropic had withheld its latest models from the institute, raising concerns about whether Britain’s collaborative approach is sufficient to address the growing threats associated with artificial intelligence.
Burnham is also expected to announce that his country will lead efforts to address global challenges, including artificial intelligence, when it hosts the G20 next year.
