- The AI Security Institute has changed from the UK’s AI Safety Institute.
- The rewriting represents a transition towards security
- Anthropic has also partnered with the Federal
Since taking office in 2024, the fresh Labour government has fully embraced AI, and it has not been for very long. The institution will continue, but the government has announced that the name will now be changed to the , indicating a significant shift in direction of cybersecurity.
But what’s the change? In theory, protection is focused on preventing things like cyberattacks and minimizing safety risks, including how the technology can be used to defy national security or how it can facilitate crimes like fraud or the creation of chemical weapons.
Safety has a somewhat wider scope, with a focus on reducing the risks of cyberattacks while also pursuing protection against chatbot propagation. It also examines the cultural effects of AI models, as opposed to only the immediate cybersecurity risks.
New collaborations
The UK’s frequently advertised Plan for Change, released in January 2025, leant heavily on AI, introducing’ Growth Zones’, handing open data over to train models, and aiming to see AI ‘ mainlined into the veins’ of public services- but not once did the document mention the words ‘ harm’,’ safety’, or ‘ threat’, TechCrunch .
Despite these omissions, the function of the AI Security Institute is still the same, says Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Technology, Peter Kyle,
The AI Security Institute’s job didn’t shift, but this renewed emphasis will ensure that our citizens and those of our friends are protected from those who would use AI to defame our organizations, democratic values, and way of life.
As part of the novel plan, the government has agreed to a new relationship with AI company Anthropic, working to ‘ understand the technology’s opportunities, with a continued focus on the responsible development and implementation of AI techniques.’ This will include “insights” on how AI you” change public services and improve the lives of citizens,” as well as encourage technological advancement.
This is a result of the UK’s efforts to attract technology investments from all over the world by creating a safe, ideal environment for AI innovation.