‘Space Between Peace and War’: UK Spy Chief Sounds Alarm on AI Cyber Threats

The head of Britain’s cyber intelligence agency has warned that the global race to develop artificial intelligence is rapidly blurring the line between peace and invisible warfare, as hostile states increasingly weaponise technology for cyber conflict.

Speaking at Bletchley Park , the historic World War II codebreaking centre, GCHQ Director Anne Keast-Butler said the world was entering a dangerous “space between peace and war,” where cyberattacks, sabotage and disinformation campaigns are being carried out below the threshold of conventional military conflict.

Keast-Butler described artificial intelligence as “ an unstoppable force ” that offers enormous opportunities but also poses growing security risks as governments and malicious actors exploit AI-driven systems to target infrastructure, supply chains and public trust.

She accused Russia of intensifying hybrid operations against Britain and Europe through cyber intrusions, attacks on critical infrastructure and efforts to undermine democratic institutions. She also warned that rapid technological advances by countries such as China were narrowing the window for Western allies to maintain their cyber advantage.

“Algorithms are being weaponised often just below the threshold of traditional warfare,” she said, adding that the risk of geopolitical miscalculation was among the highest she had witnessed during her three decades in national security.

The GCHQ chief stressed the need for stronger cybersecurity measures “from boardrooms to living rooms,” urging governments, businesses and citizens to treat cyber resilience with far greater urgency.

Her remarks come amid rising warnings from Western intelligence agencies about escalating cyber threats from hostile states targeting energy systems, communications networks and critical national infrastructure across Europe.