Britain has become the first international partner to gain access to Ukraine's Avengers AI Labs under a new defence and artificial intelligence partnership signed in Kyiv.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed the agreement on Monday, bringing together Ukrainian battlefield experience and data with British researchers, universities and technology companies.
The UK Government said the partnership would initially focus on defence and national security, with the aim of developing new military capabilities and technologies that could also have wider applications in Britain.
UK granted access to Avengers AI Labs
Avengers AI Labs uses data collected from cameras and sensors operating across Ukraine's battlefield to help train artificial intelligence models.
The Government said the platform includes information on objects such as tanks, artillery, air-defence systems, infantry and aerial targets including drones.
Reuters reported that the platform has been built around an annotated dataset of around five million battlefield images, much of it drawn from Ukraine's DELTA combat system.
Britain is the first international partner to be granted access to Avengers AI Labs, according to the UK Government.
British researchers to work with frontline data
The agreement will allow British researchers, engineers and technology companies to work with real-world operational data and insights from the conflict.
In return, the UK will provide access to British universities, researchers and technology companies as the two countries work together on new defence and security systems.
The Government said the partnership would create an AI-focused collaboration bringing together engineers, academics, businesses and military expertise from both countries.
AI sensors could protect UK military bases
Several pilot projects are already being developed under the partnership.
One project uses buried fibre-optic cables as large AI-enabled sensors capable of detecting activity around sensitive sites.
The Government said the first trial is about to be deployed at a UK defence site, where the technology will be tested as a way of detecting protesters and hostile actors attempting to gather intelligence.
If successful, ministers say similar technology could eventually be used to help protect airports, prisons, railways and energy infrastructure.
Low-power AI chips for drones and robotics
A second project will explore the development of low-power artificial intelligence chips for drones, robotics and autonomous systems.
The Government says the technology could allow future systems to operate for longer, react more quickly and function in environments where conventional systems struggle.
British companies involved in pilot work announced by the Government include Bristol-based Sintela, Oxford's Mind Foundry and London-based Skyral.
Part of UK-Ukraine 100 Year Partnership
The agreement forms part of the wider 100 Year Partnership between Britain and Ukraine.
Burnham said the arrangement would combine Ukraine's operational experience with Britain's AI sector in an effort to strengthen national security and develop new technologies.
The deal was announced during Burnham's first overseas visit since becoming Prime Minister, alongside separate UK commitments on long-range missiles and further military support for Ukraine.
The partnership gives British researchers access to Ukrainian battlefield data and AI tools, but it does not mean unrestricted public access to sensitive military information. The practical scope of access will be governed by the arrangements between the two countries.