In this update, we cover legal, policy and industry developments in the advanced computing sector.
Anthropic’s Mythos Preview model raises concern about cybersecurity arms race
Anthropic announced it had developed (but would not publicly release) a new AI model which is adept at finding flaws in software.
The fear is that Mythos Preview (and AI models like it) could increase the prevalence of cyber-attacks by making it much easier to identify vulnerabilities to exploit.
Anthropic predict that “the fallout – for economies, public safety, and national security – could be severe.” They have launched Project Glasswing with the likes of AWS, Google and Microsoft in what they say is “an effort to secure the world’s most critical software.”
Chancellor uses Mais lecture to announce £2bn more government funding for quantum innovation
This includes a new programme (ProQure: Scaling UK Quantum Computing) to invest 1bn in procuring large-scale quantum computers – details on which to be announced next week.
The government says that by “joining R&D, manufacturing, software, hardware and procurement into a single programme, we will be world leaders in developing and deploying large-scale quantum computers.”
UK quantum research to heat up as National Cryogenic Facility opens
This month, we learned that UKRI will grant £51.2m to fund a new National Cryogenic Facility in the North West (ultra-cold environments are important for research into how to commercialise quantum technologies). This is part of a wider investment package to “reindustrialise the North.”
Wellcome Sanger Institute load Hepatitis D genome onto quantum computer
The Institute say this work represents “an early but important step towards a future where quantum computing accelerates biological discovery.” For more on applications for quantum in the life sciences space, click here.
University of Cambridge announces £90m collaboration with IonQ
The IonQ Quantum Innovation Centre will host the UK’s most powerful quantum computer. Researchers and early-stage companies will benefit from access to this powerful new tool, accelerating research and discovery in quantum science, engineering, and a range of other applications.
A team from Mills & Reeve (Alex Woolgar, Alastair Cotton, Seb Allen-Johnstone, James Field, James Foster and Amanda McLaughlin) advised the University of Cambridge on this exciting project.
New government campaign to “lock the door” on cyber crime
This initiative, announced by DSIT on 17 February, encourages businesses to complete the government’s Cyber Essential’s certification scheme. The steps you need to take to complete the certification are often described as “the digital equivalent of locking the front door.”
Government publishes UK Compute Roadmap
This roadmap came out on 23 April. In the words of the Business Secretary Peter Kyle: “Artificial intelligence is reshaping the world around us...From accelerating the development of new medicines to supporting more efficient public services…But realising that potential depends on the infrastructure we build to support it. Compute – the processing power behind every AI breakthrough – is not simply a technical resource. It is a critical enabler of scientific excellence, industrial competitiveness, and sovereign capability. Countries that can deliver and direct world-class compute infrastructure will shape the future of AI, not just consume it. This roadmap sets out how the UK will rise to that challenge.”
DSIT announces preliminary engagement for £250m contract to expand UK cloud compute capacity
The procurement focuses on scaling access to AI appropriate compute for UK researchers, SMEs and public bodies, supporting innovation across the digital and research ecosystem and enhancing flexibility for different workloads and users.
The government’s new Cyber Resilience Pledge
Any organisation can sign to the voluntary pledge (details of which were published on 22 April) to confirm they are committed to:
- Making cyber risk a board-level priority by implementing all actions with the Cyber Governance Code of Practice and ensuring all board members undertake the NCSC's Cyber Governance Training within three months, and then annually.
- Registering for the NCSC's Early Warning service.
- Registering for the Cyber Essentials Supplier Check Tool and conducting a comprehensive audit of Cyber Essentials coverage across its entire supply chain, with such audit being presented to, and discussed by, the Board.
- Taking a risk-based approach to requiring Cyber Essentials across its supply chain (which may include requiring it from all suppliers).
If you would like to discuss any of the matters in this update, or need legal advice connected to the development or deployment of advanced computing technologies please get in touch with our team of sector specialists.
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