Defence AI: opportunity outpacing governance?
Guest blog by Jonathan Lee, Director of Cyber Strategy at TrendAI #SupplyChainSecurity
Jonathan Lee
Director of Cyber Strategy , TrendAI
The UK Ministry of Defence is moving quickly to embed large language models (LLMs) across its operations. From intelligence analysis to logistics and training, AI is already reshaping how decisions are made and how fast information can be processed. This is no longer experimental. It is active, scaled and increasingly embedded into core workflows, with the Defence AI Centre and Dstl driving adoption.
The use cases are practical and immediate. LLMs are being used to interpret complex outputs from wargaming simulations, process large volumes of reconnaissance data and surface critical insights faster than traditional methods. They are helping reduce cognitive overload by filtering intelligence into something usable in high-pressure environments. Elsewhere, secure internal chatbots are improving access to procurement policies and technical documentation, while AI-powered search is enabling personnel to query vast datasets using natural language. In training, multimodal models are connecting real-time and virtual environments to create more advanced simulations.
This is not marginal improvement. It is a shift in how defence operates, with AI moving from support function to something closer to operational backbone.
Alongside this progress, governance is evolving, but not at the same pace. Frameworks such as JSP 936 set out clear principles around human oversight, accountability and risk mitigation. There are also efforts to introduce secure access layers and controlled validation environments to test models before deployment. However, oversight remains fragmented and often tied to specific use cases rather than a unified approach. There is no single approved model framework, and responsibility is still distributed across different parts of the organisation.
That creates a growing gap between capability and control.
The challenge is compounded by the ecosystem supporting this shift. The MOD’s AI strategy relies on a wide network of partners across cloud, research and defence technology. This accelerates innovation, but it also introduces complexity. Each integration point expands the attack surface, and every model must be secured, validated and continuously monitored. At scale, maintaining visibility across this environment becomes increasingly difficult.
What is happening in UK defence reflects a wider reality. AI is no longer a future capability. It is becoming part of core infrastructure. The question is no longer whether it delivers value, but whether organisations can maintain control as adoption accelerates.
If governance, visibility and security do not evolve alongside deployment, the systems designed to create advantage risk introducing new forms of exposure. Defence may be leading the way, but this is a challenge that extends far beyond it.
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Jill Broom
Head of Cyber Resilience, techUK
Jill leads the techUK Cyber Resilience programme, having originally joined techUK in October 2020 as a Programme Manager for the Cyber and Central Government programmes. She is responsible for managing techUK's work across the cyber security ecosystem, bringing industry together with key stakeholders across the public and private sectors. Jill also provides the industry secretariat for the Cyber Growth Partnership, the industry and government conduit for supporting the growth of the sector. A key focus of her work is to strengthen the public–private partnership across cyber to support further development of UK cyber security and resilience policy.
Before joining techUK, Jill worked as a Senior Caseworker for an MP, advocating for local communities, businesses and individuals, so she is particularly committed to techUK’s vision of harnessing the power of technology to improve people’s lives. Jill is also an experienced editorial professional and has delivered copyediting and writing services for public-body and SME clients as well as publishers.
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Annie Collings
Senior Programme Manager, Cyber Resilience, techUK
Annie is the Programme Manager for Cyber Resilience at techUK. She first joined as the Programme Manager for Cyber Security and Central Government in September 2023.
In her role, Annie supports the Cyber Security SME Forum, engaging regularly with key government and industry stakeholders to advance the growth and development of SMEs in the cyber sector. Annie also coordinates events, engages with policy makers and represents techUK at a number of cyber security events.
Before joining techUK, Annie was an Account Manager at a specialist healthcare agency, where she provided public affairs support to a wide range of medical technology clients. She also gained experience as an intern in both an MP’s constituency office and with the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed. Annie holds a degree in International Relations from Nottingham Trent University.
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Olivia Staples
Junior Programme Manager - Cyber Resilience, techUK
Olivia Staples joined techUK in May 2025 as a Junior Programme Manager in the Cyber Resilience team.
She supports the programs mission to promote cyber resilience by engaging key commercial and government stakeholders to shape the cyber resilience policy towards increased security and industry growth. Olivia assists in member engagement, event facilitation and communications support.
Before joining techUK, Olivia gained experience in research, advocacy, and strategic communications across several international organisations. At the Munich Security Conference, she supported stakeholder engagement and contributed to strategic communications. She also worked closely with local and national government stakeholders in Spain and Italy, where she was involved in policy monitoring and advocacy for both public and private sector clients.
Olivia holds an MSc in Political Science (Comparative Politics and Conflict Studies) from the London School of Economics (LSE) and a BA in Spanish and Latin American Studies from University College London (UCL).
Outside of tech, Olivia enjoys volunteering with local charities and learning Norwegian.
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Authors
Jonathan Lee
Director of Cyber Strategy , TrendAI
