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LONDON Generative artificial intelligence systems will pose a stark threat to political systems within the next two years, British intelligence agencies have warned.

As Rishi Sunak prepares for a major speech on AI ahead of next week's London-hosted global safety summit on the tech, the U.K. government on Wednesday night unveiled a series of papers laying out the risks and opportunities posed by AI.

The paper focusing on risks was largely informed by British intelligence assessments and examined near-term threats in the run-up to 2025.

It warns that the rise of generative AI systems such as ChatGPT or other input-based content creating AI models will "significantly increase risks to safety and security," with those risks increasing in likelihood as the tech develops.

It points to "Digital Risks," such as cybercrime and hacking, as an area where generative AI models are likely to have the largest negative impact. But it also flags potential threats to the machinery of democracy.

"Risks to political systems and societies will increase in likelihood to 2025, becoming as significant as digital risks as generative AI develops and adoption widens," the report warns. "Threats include manipulation and deception of populations."

The paper comes after a deepfake, AI-generated, video of Labour Leader Keir Starmer swearing at staffers went viral earlier October, alarming a Westminster establishment which is yet to get to grips with the threat posed by fake AI created content. That video was viewed by more than 1.5 million people on X.

"Generative AI tools have already been shown capable of persuading humans on political issues and can be used to increase the scale, persuasiveness and frequency of disinformation and misinformation," the paper adds.

In his London speech Thursday morning, Sunak who has been keen to position the U.K. at the forefront of global AI policymaking will talk up the "new knowledge, new opportunities for economic growth, new advances in human capability, and the chance to solve problems we once thought beyond us," that he believes AI offers, according to lines sent out by his office beforehand.

But the prime minister will also admit that the technology "brings new dangers and new fears."

"So, the responsible thing for me to do is to address those fears head on, giving you the peace of mind that we will keep you safe, while making sure you and your children have all the opportunities for a better future that AI can bring," Sunak will say.

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British spy agencies warn of AI threat to democracy - POLITICO Europe