Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced today the launch of the National Centre for Information Defence to counter disinformation and deepfakes from hostile states, particularly Russia.

Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Burnham tasked security chiefs with establishing the new body to detect, attribute, and disrupt information attacks enabled by artificial intelligence. The centre will coordinate efforts across intelligence agencies, law enforcement, government departments, and social media companies.

The initiative responds to what Burnham described as an "industrial-scale assault" on the UK's information environment. He highlighted Russian spending of around £1.3 billion annually on manipulation efforts, including the use of bots, fake websites, forged branding of British institutions like universities and the BBC, and attempts to interfere in the 2019 general election.

The centre will initially operate from the Office for the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Its goals include building community resilience against false narratives and preventing distorted portrayals of the UK that could undermine cohesion.

Critics have raised concerns about potential impacts on free speech. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage warned that the centre could serve as a tool for government overreach under the pretext of countering foreign interference. Similar debates have emerged in other Western nations balancing security needs with open discourse.

The announcement aligns with broader UK efforts to address evolving threats, including AI-driven content. Burnham also mentioned plans for an AI defence partnership with the United States and pushing for global standards during the UK's G20 presidency.

Supporters, including figures from the foreign affairs select committee, view the move as a necessary step to consolidate previously fragmented responses to malign influence operations. The centre builds on existing legal frameworks such as the National Security Act 2023.

Details on the centre's full structure, funding, and accountability mechanisms remain forthcoming, with further information expected as planning advances.