Britain caught in space between peace and war', says new head of MI6

"Britain is caught in a space between peace and war complicated by the rise of artificial intelligence and other technologies dominated by powerful individuals and corporations, according to the new head of MI6. Blaise Metreweli, giving her first speech in the job, also accused Russia of being insincere about Ukraine peace negotiations but made minimal reference to China as the prime minister, Keir Starmer, seeks to arrange a visit to Beijing."

"Metreweli did not cite any specific examples, though US corporations dominate social media and Elon Musk, the owner of X, also controls Starlink, the satellite communications network that is considered crucial for the Ukrainian military. Previous UK spy chiefs have, in the past, raised explicit concerns about an authoritarian China one day controlling developments in AI and quantum computing."

"But Metreweli raised a series of generalised threats, including robots and drones powered by AI that could be devastating on the battlefield, lethal bioweapons, and hyper-personalised tools that could become a new vector for conflict and control. Metreweli said emerging technologies are rewriting the reality of conflict'. Photograph: Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP Though there was incredible promise in new technologies, she said there was also peril, highlighting that dangers could come not just from countries vying for supremacy but as some algorithms become as powerful as states. Information, she said, was becoming increasingly weaponised."

Britain occupies a space between peace and war as AI and other emerging technologies concentrate power in corporations and individuals. Emerging technologies are rewriting the reality of conflict by converging to create science-fiction-like tools. Control over these technologies is shifting from states to corporations and sometimes to individuals, making power more diffuse and unpredictable. Threats include AI-powered robots and drones, lethal bioweapons, and hyper-personalized tools that can act as new vectors for conflict and control. Information is becoming increasingly weaponized. Russia is judged insincere about Ukraine peace talks, while China receives minimal direct reference amid plans for a prime ministerial visit.

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