Repeating accusations that Moscow was trying to interfere in the 2019 British general elections, Burnham claimed that Russia used bots, fake websites, fake newspaper articles and imitated the corporate identities of 28 British institutions, including universities and the BBC.
Burnham also stated that Russia feeds far-right narratives and fuels tension and unrest in the wake of horrific events. Russia, on the other hand, rejects allegations of interference in elections and politics.
Russia has been accused in the past of interfering in political processes in the UK, particularly the 2016 Brexit referendum that divided the country.
The previous Conservative Party government was criticized for not thoroughly investigating these allegations.
Burnham, who became the Prime Minister after being elected as the leader of the Labor Party this summer and became the country's seventh prime minister in the last decade, warned that disinformation and cyber attacks would become even more severe due to artificial intelligence, while calls for the regulation of rapidly developing technology increased.
Announcing that he instructed the managers of law enforcement agencies to start working on the National Information Defense Center, which will detect "hostile state-based attacks", determine their source and block them, Burnham noted that more countries are dealing with similar issues as new elections approach across Europe.
The center will also be tasked with identifying fake images and videos (deepfakes) that harm British interests.
Burnham said that while he looks for the tremendous benefits that artificial intelligence can bring, he also wants to see the risks clearly and that he does not want to turn into a "doomsayer."
Among the risks in question, security measures are left behind and adversarial actors use this technology in information warfare.
According to the Reuters agency, Burnham stated that the UK is ready to lead efforts to determine global artificial intelligence standards, and expressed concern that the technology could exceed the precautions and escalate national security risks.
In his speech, Burnham said, "We have all heard these warnings; we must heed them. I know how worried people are. We have to do what is necessary in this period."
Prime Minister Burnham, who placed his support for artificial intelligence at the summit in New York at the center of his goal of re-strengthening his country's diplomatic position, stated that he would position the UK as an "honest mediator" thanks to its close ties with Washington, developing relations with the EU, and existing reasonable dialogue with China and India.
Pointing to the existence of the global Artificial Intelligence Security Institute, which cooperates closely with the USA and leading laboratories, Burnham stated that the studies should be carried forward.
The Prime Ministry announced that in meetings with artificial intelligence industry executives, officials made it clear that they expect full and complete transparency on new pioneering models to increase the UK's preparedness and resilience.
Arguing that fundamental decisions regarding artificial intelligence cannot be left to technology companies and that these decisions should be taken by elected governments, Burnham said that he will put the issue at the center of the G20 term presidency that the UK will undertake next year.
Burnham also announced that a joint artificial intelligence defense partnership will be established with the Washington administration to detect cyber attacks against critical infrastructures.
