British Prime Minister Andy Burnham used his debut address to the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday to tout a new artificial intelligence defense partnership with the United States and warn that Russia is waging an “insidious” information campaign aimed at destabilizing Western democracies.
Burnham, who took office in July, presented Britain as a possible bridge between global powers as countries grapple with rapidly developing AI, wars, and growing threats from Moscow’s cyberattacks and disinformation.
Burnham said the AI partnership will bring together the British military’s Rapid AI Delivery Taskforce and the Department of War’s Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office. The countries plan to cooperate on AI and autonomous technology that could help protect infrastructure, detect threats, and strengthen governance.
The prime minister said Britain would also put AI “at the heart” of its G20 presidency next year, with the goal of developing global principles and standards governing the technology. He compared the effort to international coordination following the 2008 financial crisis.
“Fundamental decisions on this technology are too important to be left to chance,” Burnham said. “They must be taken by elected governments who serve working people, and we need to give people the support they need through this change, ensuring that it becomes an engine for reindustrialization and opportunity, as well.”
But Burnham warned that technological advances, while they have positive effects, could also magnify existing security threats, pointing specifically to Russia’s effort to manipulate public opinion. He accused Russian agencies of using bots, fake websites, falsified news articles, and forged branding from British organizations to spread disinformation.
“We’re talking about an insidious campaign that reaches into people’s homes and twists what they feel about their own country and community, creating a narrative of decline, stoking division, and sowing despair,” he said. “On top of that, we have seen cyberattacks on companies and institutions, and we know that AI will multiply the threat. We have tiptoed around this for too long.”
Burnham branded a new Britain to participate on the global stage.
“Over the last decade, we have given too much ground to those who want to run a negative, corrosive narrative about life in Britain, which bears no resemblance to reality,” he said. “Well, no more. We are going to face the new decade in a different way, with our eyes wide open. We are going to be much prouder in standing up for our values and the rule of law, and we are going to help our people to strengthen their resilience.”
In recent history, Burnham has pledged British support for Ukraine as relations with Russia crumble. He said the United Kingdom would help protect Ukrainian civilians and energy infrastructure ahead of winter while increasing pressure on Moscow to end the war. He also noted Russia expanding attacks to target civilians and defense infrastructure.
“Everyone in this room knows that strikes on civilian infrastructure are explicitly forbidden by international law. Yet we stand here in the U.N. announcing funding to mitigate the effects of these war crimes, which we reliably expect to be perpetrated yet again by a permanent member of the Security Council. It must end,” he said.
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“Russia could choose a different course tomorrow, accept a ceasefire, come to the negotiating table,” he added. “I urge them to do so. But until then, we will stand with Ukraine, stronger than ever, for as long as it takes. This is about upholding the U.N. Charter and the rule of law.”
The address served as Burnham’s first major attempt to define Britain’s role on the world stage since taking office. Ten years after Brexit, he argued, the country could use its close relationships with Washington, ties to Europe, and partnership with emerging powers to help bridge growing international divisions.