Universities UK

MI5 has alerted British academics and universities, urging them to cut ties with a Chinese-linked institute over espionage concerns. The warning, reported by the Financial Times, is the latest sign of Britain hardening its stance on Chinese influence in higher education, with security services concerned about technology transfer and covert state involvement on campuses.

MI5 has issued an unprecedented public warning that a Chinese institute is secretly trying to exploit British universities and research bodies, recruiting academics to pass on expertise that could help Beijing develop more powerful technology. The Security Service alert, aimed at staff across UK academia, urges researchers to stay alert to suspicious approaches. It is a rare direct public intervention and has sparked debate about the scale of Chinese espionage against British science and how universities should respond.

MI5 has issued an espionage alert accusing the China General Technology Research Institute of using British academics to spy on British AI research. The security service says the institute has very strong ties to China's Ministry of State Security, its civilian intelligence agency, warning universities and researchers about attempts to obtain sensitive AI technology.