UK warns universities to cut ties with China-linked firm after MI5 flags AI, cyber research espionage

The UK has warned universities and academics against continuing work with a China-linked research organisation that MI5 says has strong ties to Chinese intelligence and was used to fund research that could support espionage.According to the BBC, MI5 issued a rare public warning on Wednesday over the China General Technology Research Institute (CGTRI), also known as the China Academy of General Technology (CAGT). The British security service said the organisation has “very strong ties” to China’s Ministry of State Security (MSS).MI5 said more than 100 UK-linked academics had contributed to projects funded through CGTRI. The research covered areas including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, covert communications and steganography, a technique used to hide information inside other files or objects.The security service said many academics and institutions may have worked with CGTRI “in good faith”, without being aware of its links to Chinese intelligence.