{
  "id": 9240259,
  "title": "UK to fight Russian disinformation and push new global AI standards, Burnham says",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/uk-to-fight-russian-disinformation-and-push-new-global-ai-standards",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-09-23T01:08:40.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "BBC News",
    "slug": "bbc-news",
    "url": "https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c6rerlq99w30o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The United Kingdom is set to establish a new centre aimed at combating hostile state attacks, including Russian disinformation, and to lead the global effort in creating safety standards for artificial intelligence, according to Prime Minister Andy Burnham's address at the United Nations General Assembly in New York City. Burnham accused Russian agencies of employing every available means, such as bots and fake websites, to disseminate disinformation. He emphasized that AI will exacerbate existing threats and highlighted the UK's role as an impartial mediator in this technological domain. The Prime Minister revealed that Russia spends approximately £1.3 billion annually on information manipulation, employing tactics like the falsification of news articles and the branding of 28 British organizations, including universities and the BBC. Burnham underscored the insidious nature of this campaign, which targets individuals' perceptions of their own country and community, fostering a narrative of decline, sowing division, and causing despair. To counter these threats, the UK will introduce the National Centre for Information Defence to detect and disrupt AI-mediated disinformation campaigns orchestrated by hostile states, working in tandem with intelligence agencies, government departments, law enforcement, and social media platforms. The UK's stance on AI regulation is nuanced, recognizing the technology's potential risks to national security while also acknowledging its economic benefits. Burnham described advanced AI as a \"one of the most significant challenges and opportunities of our age\" and stressed the urgency of addressing these concerns. The UK, with its close ties to the US and the European Union, sees itself as a potential \"honest broker\" in this global context. The Prime Minister also highlighted the UK's world-leading AI Security Institute, which tests major AI models for safety before their public release. Burnham pledged to prioritize AI at the heart of the UK's G20 Presidency in 2023, aiming to forge a consensus on global principles and standards for AI development, including transparency, access, and responsible practices. However, the declaration, backed by over 20 countries, has not garnered support from the US and China, which dominate AI development, nor from the UK. President Donald Trump has rejected the notion of a global scheme to control AI, stating that he intends to encourage its advancement rather than restrain it. Despite some progress in AI safety commitments, there remains a call for more stringent measures from various political factions, including the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party, who urge the government to take additional steps to safeguard public interests.",
  "summary": "The UK could act as \"an honest broker\" on AI and other global challenges, the prime minister tells world leaders at the UN.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}