University Investigates Academic Research Following MI5 Alert on Chinese Intelligence
A Scottish University Investigates Research Tied to Chinese Intelligence
A Scottish university is currently examining whether research conducted by its academics has been appropriated by Chinese intelligence services. This investigation comes following reports indicating that MI5, the UK’s domestic counter-intelligence agency, has issued warnings to UK universities about working with the China General Technology Research Institute (CGTRI).
According to MI5, the CGTRI has been funding academic research for the Chinese Ministry of State Security (MSS), raising significant concerns about the implications for national security.
In 2024, two researchers from Edinburgh Napier University, Amir Hussain and Dr. Zhiyuan Tan, collaborated on a paper associated with CGTRI. This topic of study, centered on detecting deepfake technology, has now prompted the university to initiate an investigation.
A spokesperson from the university stated, “We recognize that prior research activities may have indirect connections to this organization and are meticulously reviewing this in light of the information provided by MI5 last week. We will ensure that this alert is fully integrated into the due diligence we apply to all our research efforts.”
Both researchers had partnerships with Chinese colleagues, and their project received funding from a Chinese grant labeled ‘U2336202,’ in addition to financial support from the UK’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.
Contextually, U2336202 is reported to be part of a larger joint fund established by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and CGTRI, representing a substantial investment in research.
Research by Amir Hussain and Dr. Zhiyuan Tan linked to CGTRI is being investigated by Edinburgh Napier University.
Dr. Tan is recognized for his contributions to cybersecurity at major international conferences, while Mr. Hussain is a prominent figure in the field of artificial intelligence.
Notably, the pair’s collaboration on the paper predated the exposure of CGTRI’s affiliations with the MSS.
Last week, MI5 issued an unprecedented warning regarding the acceptance of funding from the MSS for research in sensitive domains such as artificial intelligence. The agency emphasized that the primary objective of CGTRI is to financially support academic research that may enhance the MSS’s capacity for espionage.
Sam Dunning, director of the UK-China Transparency campaign group, criticized this collaborative research dynamic, stating, “The MSS has been involved in recorded cyber-attacks against British institutions. UK researchers are inadvertently assisting a foreign intelligence agency in developing technologies that are used in these attacks.”
Both Mr. Hussain and Dr. Tan have been approached for their comments regarding the ongoing investigation.
Editor’s Take
This situation underscores the growing concerns regarding foreign influence in sensitive academic research and highlights the challenges faced by institutions in navigating funding from potentially hostile entities. Such developments not only affect university policies but also the broader AI industry, which relies on ethical transparency and integrity to foster trust among users and investors alike.
Source: www.dailymail.com
