UK MI5 warns of university grants and AI research theft through Chinese organization

[London Current Affairs] On September 30, the British Intelligence Service (MI5) issued a statement alleging that the Chinese intelligence agency, through an organization called the China General Technology Research Institute (CGTRI), had been paying grants to British universities and stealing important research on areas such as artificial intelligence (AI). He warned that it was unusual for MI5 to make public information about its espionage activities and that it posed a "serious threat".

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The statement said CGTRI had provided funding to more than 100 academics at several UK universities in exchange for access to research. CGTRI has "very strong ties" to China's Ministry of State Security, and the stolen information went to that agency. The names of the universities and academics have not been made public.

The research fields targeted include AI, cybersecurity, and secret communications. Minister for Foreign Affairs Jarvis said China's intelligence operations were "covertly exploiting the expertise and research of academics to the detriment of our national security and that of our allies." It has been revealed that a letter has been sent to all universities in the UK asking them to stop engaging with CGTRI.