GCHQ chief warns AI is weaponised and Russia is intensifying hybrid attacks on UK and European critical infrastructure and democratic processes, emphasizing urgent cyber defense measures.

Anne Keast-Butler, director of the UK's GCHQ, warned that artificial intelligence is an 'unstoppable force' being weaponised in ways just below traditional warfare. She highlighted escalating hybrid threats from Russia against the UK and Europe, including relentless targeting of critical infrastructure, democratic processes, supply chains, technology theft, sabotage attempts, and assassination plots. Russian cyberattacks have allegedly targeted critical infrastructure in Sweden, Poland, Denmark, and Norway such as power plants and dams. GCHQ is particularly focused on protecting data and energy flows through critical undersea cables and pipelines around British waters due to Russian underwater capabilities. Keast-Butler stressed the urgency of improving cybersecurity at all societal levels, warned of risks of losing the cyber conflict against Russia and other adversaries, and emphasized the importance of the UK-US intelligence partnership. The speech was delivered at Bletchley Park on 27 May 2026.