UK establishes AI biosecurity lab to detect pandemic threats

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 24 Oct, 01:39 · Archive

The UK will establish an AI Biosecurity Lab backed by £100 million of government funding and £200 million in support from OpenAI and Anthropic.

The UK government has announced plans to establish a new AI Biosecurity Lab, backed by £100 million in government funding and £200 million in support from leading AI firms OpenAI and Anthropic. Chancellor John Healey will set out the full details at Wednesday's Budget. The lab is described as 'world-first' and will bring together world-leading scientific expertise to develop medical countermeasures for new pathogens and detect emerging biological threats.

The biosecurity lab forms part of a broader package of AI investment aimed at strengthening the UK's defences against evolving threats. An additional £120 million will go to Britain's AI Security Institute to develop standards guarding against risks posed by the technology. A new £70 million centre called Nerv (National Exposure and Real-Time Vulnerability) will use AI tools to detect cyber threats across the UK's critical infrastructure and economy.

AI Minister Kanishka Narayan described the biosecurity lab as a 'major new global institution' that will ensure the UK can safeguard its citizens as AI develops. Chancellor Healey said the measures reflected a 'distinctively British approach to AI' that would not leave workers behind, with £10 million a year dedicated to understanding how AI will change industry and how Britain must prepare for it.

How it is being reported

• UK to invest £100m in 'world first' AI Biosecurity LabThe chancellor will unveil AI spending aimed at shoring up the UK's defences in Wednesday's Budget.BBC News · 24 Oct, 01:05
• UK to set up AI ‘biosecurity lab’ to detect risks of future pandemicsThe ‘world-first’ unit will help to develop medical ‘countermeasures’ for new pathogens, officials said.Evening Standard · 24 Oct, 00:01

In this story: UK · OpenAI · Anthropic · John Healey · Kanishka Narayan

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