Key facts
- The UK is establishing a National Centre for Information Defence to combat foreign disinformation and AI-generated deepfakes.
- Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced the initiative at the UN General Assembly.
- The new center will collaborate with intelligence agencies, government departments, law enforcement, and social media companies.
- Russia is accused of spending approximately £1.3 billion annually on information manipulation.
- Fake videos featuring ordinary citizens and impersonating news organizations have been used in Russian-linked disinformation campaigns.
- The UK aims to lead global efforts in setting safety standards for artificial intelligence.
The UK is establishing a new National Centre for Information Defence to combat foreign disinformation and AI-generated deepfakes, particularly from Russia. Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced the initiative at the United Nations General Assembly, warning that Russia-linked groups are using sophisticated tactics, including AI-generated videos and fake news websites, to spread false narratives and undermine trust in institutions.
Burnham stated that Russia spends approximately £1.3 billion annually on information manipulation. BBC Verify has tracked numerous campaigns, including fake videos impersonating journalists and ordinary citizens, and a fake news website called the London Crier that falsely claimed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had bought a mansion. TikTok removed over 12,000 fake accounts linked to such operations originating from Russia. The new center will collaborate with intelligence agencies, government departments, law enforcement, and social media companies to detect and disrupt these campaigns.
The UK also aims to lead global efforts in setting safety standards for artificial intelligence, with Burnham pitching the UK as an "honest broker" on AI technology. The Kremlin, through spokesman Dmitry Peskov, criticized the UK's approach as "utterly short-sighted" and detrimental to de-escalating tensions.
Other authoritarian governments, including China, North Korea, and Iran, are also identified as major players in online disinformation. Evidence also suggests Western governments, such as the US military, have engaged in covert influence operations.