Labour leaders urge faster action on AI threats and public concerns

Senior Labour figures are increasingly concerned that powerful AI could be exploited by extremist groups and other bad actors, and say the government must respond faster to public worries. The debate has moved higher up Westminster’s agenda, with ministers warning that concentrated, highly capable technology could pose serious risks to security and humanity.

AI security was discussed at cabinet, while AI minister Kanishka Narayan said rogue agents hacking the British state was “likely, if not inevitable”. MI5 chief Ken McCallum warned that AI is intensifying cyber threats and could help extremists develop bioweapons. Labour MP Liam Byrne said the government’s approach had shifted under Andy Burnham, and called for stronger regulation and cooperation with the US; technology companies remain divided over whether testing new models should be mandatory.