Government security agency GCHQ has pointed to the future importance of artificial intelligence in national security.
It has published a paper, The Ethics of AI: Pioneering a New National Security, which looks at the future role of the technology in dealing with crimes such as child abuse and human trafficking, and threats from disinformation.
The paper sets out examples of how AI could be used for purposes such as: fact checking and detecting deepfake media; mapping networks for trafficking people, drugs and weapons; analysing chat rooms for evidence of grooming to prevent child abuse; and analysing activity to identify malicious software.
GCHQ acknowledges anxieties about ethics in using the technology, saying it wants to minimise and where possible eliminate biases, and to draw on a diverse mix of people to develop and govern its use.
Governance and standards
In response, it is developing a governance system drawn on best practice and consultation with stakeholders, which will set out standards for the organisation’s developers and will evolve over time. This will feed into an ‘augmented intelligence’ approach, in which the technology will support and not replace human decision making.
The paper points to steps that GCHQ has taken, including setting up an industry facing AI Lab from its Manchester office, dedicated to prototyping projects, and mentoring and supporting start-ups through accelerator schemes.
Director of GCHQ Jeremy Fleming (pictured) said: “AI, like so many technologies, offers great promise for society, prosperity and security.
“Its impact on GCHQ is equally profound. AI is already invaluable in many of our missions as we protect the country, its people and way of life. It allows our brilliant analysts to manage vast volumes of complex data and improves decision-making in the face of increasingly complex threats – from protecting children to improving cyber security.
“While this unprecedented technological evolution comes with great opportunity, it also poses significant ethical challenges for all of society, including GCHQ.
“Today we are setting out our plan and commitment to the ethical use of AI in our mission. I hope it will inspire further thinking at home and abroad about how we can ensure fairness, transparency and accountability to underpin the use of AI.”
Image from GCHQ, Crown Copyright
