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UK Accuses China of Using Academics to Spy on AI and Other Tech Research
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CNBC TV18•30-09-2026, 20:15
UK Accuses China of Using Academics to Spy on AI and Other Tech Research
- •Britain's MI5 spy agency issued an unprecedented "Espionage Alert" warning that the China General Technology Research Institute (CGTRI) funds academic research to improve China's Ministry of State Security (MSS) technical espionage capabilities.
- •Over 100 UK-based academics contributed to CGTRI-funded projects on topics including AI, cybersecurity, covert communications, and steganography, unknowingly aiding MSS espionage, which poses a threat to UK national security.
- •MI5 stated that while many academics engaged in good faith, continuing relationships with CGTRI now risks prosecution under Britain's 2023 National Security Act.
- •Security minister Dan Jarvis has urged all UK university leaders to terminate relationships with the Chinese organization, emphasizing the need to defend against threats to national security.
- •This alert highlights growing tensions between British security concerns and efforts to build trade ties with Beijing, following previous accusations of Chinese espionage and influence operations.
Key Questions Answered
MI5 warned that more than 100 UK-based academics contributed to projects funded by the China General Technology Research Institute, which has strong ties to Beijing's Ministry of State Security to support espionage on AI and other sensitive technologies.
Academics who continue their relationship with the organization risk prosecution under Britain's National Security Act, which was passed in 2023 to provide greater powers against foreign spying and hostile state activities.
Beijing has denounced previous allegations as unfounded and pure fabrication, while the Chinese embassy in London dismissed the MI5 warning as entirely fabricated and malicious slander.
