Intelligence, security and cyber agency GCHQ has launched a new fellowship scheme to research national security priorities such as deep fakes, fake news and AI.
GCHQ works closely with MI5, the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6), law enforcement, the military and international partners to counter real-world and online threats from nation states, criminal groups, terrorists and individuals.
The new partnership programme will offer applicants from academia, science and industry the opportunity to work with GCHQ on national security issues.
The research fellowship, called the Research Fellowship Programme for National Resilience, has a theme of ‘’Digital Excellence: Leveraging Expertise’’ will provide access to mentors in the hope of developing cutting-edge techniques to help keep the country safe.
It is being run from the intelligence agency’s new Manchester offices, but has its headquarters in Cheltenham, and offices in Bude in Cornwall, and Scarborough.
A GCHQ spokesperson said: “New technologies present fresh challenges, and this fellowship provides us with a great opportunity to work with the many experts in these fields.
“Only by working together can we devise the ingenious solutions needed to capitalise on the opportunities these technologies present, secure the UK’s future prosperity, and keep the country safe from those who wish to do us harm.”
Successful applicants will see a GCHQ adviser assigned to their project for an initial six-month period as they develop their security solutions.