Canberra, May 25, 2026 – The United Kingdom and Australia have announced a landmark agreement to deepen cooperation on AI security and safety, establishing a new partnership between the UK AI Security Institute and the Australian AI Safety Institute. The collaboration aims to strengthen global defences against emerging risks from powerful AI systems and advance shared research on responsible technology development.
Under the newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), both institutes will exchange information on frontier AI capabilities, collaborate on best practices for AI evaluation, and share research findings to ensure AI systems behave as intended. The partnership also opens the door to staff exchanges, fostering day‑to‑day collaboration between experts in both nations.
The agreement will be signed in Canberra by UK AI Minister Kanishka Narayan and Australia’s Assistant Minister for Science, Technology and the Digital Economy Dr Andrew Charlton. Narayan emphasized that the alliance reflects a shared commitment to keeping citizens safe in the age of AI, noting that “no country can tackle these risks alone.”
Recent research from the UK AI Security Institute highlights the urgency of this cooperation, revealing that AI cybersecurity capabilities are advancing faster than ever — with potential implications for both attackers and defenders. By pooling expertise, the UK and Australia aim to stay ahead of these developments while ensuring AI continues to drive growth and improve lives safely.
This partnership builds on existing international collaborations through the International Network for Advanced AI Measurement, Evaluation and Science, positioning both countries as leaders in shaping global standards for AI accountability and security.
