The head of MI5, Sir Ken McCallum, has issued a stark warning about the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in amplifying terrorist threats against the United Kingdom. Speaking at Thames House, MI5’s London headquarters, he said AI is “supercharging” cyber-warfare and could enable hostile actors to exploit technologies such as drones and bioweapons, posing significant new risks to national security.

Sir Ken highlighted that terrorists are already integrating AI into their operations, including drone reconnaissance and attack methods. He expressed particular concern about the potential misuse of AI to develop or enhance biological weapons, which traditionally have been difficult for non-state actors to acquire. While noting that these risks have not yet fully materialized, McCallum emphasized the possibility that AI might grant comparatively unsophisticated groups a “capability uplift,” allowing them to access dangerous knowledge or even generate novel pathogens.

To address these emerging threats, MI5 will establish an AI Threat Assessment Centre, pooling expertise from across government agencies to analyze and respond to AI-related security challenges. McCallum stressed that, although AI brings tangible benefits, it also intensifies the cybersecurity contest between attackers and defenders, enabling tailored propaganda, radicalization efforts, and more sophisticated terrorist tactics.

In addition to AI-related risks, the MI5 chief outlined a broader and increasingly complex threat landscape. He revealed that MI5’s caseload involving state actors has quadrupled over the past decade, with the agency now allocating more resources to counter foreign threats than during the Cold War. Russia remains the principal adversary, with Moscow engaging in hybrid and proxy attacks aimed at the UK and its allies, partly as retaliation for Western support to Ukraine. McCallum noted that around 1,000 Russian diplomats and officials have been expelled from the UK since 2022, weakening Moscow’s espionage capabilities, but Russia is increasingly resorting to online recruitment of amateurs to sustain its efforts.

China’s threat, according to McCallum, is multifaceted. While opportunities for constructive partnerships exist, Beijing is actively involved in espionage targeting universities and professionals to acquire intellectual property. The MI5 chief cautioned that some segments of British academia have been insufficiently alert to these activities, potentially compromising national interests.

Iran also features prominently in Sir Ken’s assessment. He described the Islamic Republic as motivated by retaliation following US and Israeli actions against its leadership. Tehran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps is believed to be behind a recent alleged plot targeting US bombers stationed at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, with more than 50 related arrests in the UK over the past year. McCallum warned that Iran seeks to strike “harder targets,” including military sites, and is also targeting the Jewish community within the UK.

Domestically, MI5 is addressing a rise in right-wing terrorism often linked to anti-immigration and anti-Muslim grievances. Cases of individuals, including minors, with extremist plans to attack mosques and refugee-related venues have increased, reflecting a broader trend of violence directed at political figures, religious groups, and communities. The agency also remains vigilant against threats from Islamist, left-wing, and Northern Irish terrorism.

Overall, Sir Ken described the current security environment as one of “enduring risks” that require constant vigilance and adaptation. While AI brings new challenges, he maintained that it can also be harnessed to strengthen Britain’s defenses. “My adrenaline thresholds are set pretty high,” he said, underscoring MI5’s focused and measured approach to emerging threats.