The UK government has issued a serious warning to universities across the country. Intelligence agency MI5 says that China is trying to steal secret information from British schools.

They say Chinese agents are using academics—teachers and researchers—to get their hands on new technology. The main focus of this spying is research on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other advanced tech projects.

MI5 has pointed specifically to the China General Technology Research Institute (CGTRI). The UK says this group is acting as a front. While it looks like a normal research center, officials believe it is actually a way to conduct spying operations.

Because of this, many universities in the UK are now rushing to check their records. They want to see if they have any hidden ties to Chinese programs that could be dangerous to national security.

This is a tough situation for British schools. Many of these universities are already low on money. They rely on international students and research partnerships to keep the lights on. Now, they have to figure out how to keep their research safe without losing the funding they need to survive.

The British government is making it clear: they believe this is a real threat to the future of the country's technology. They are asking all colleges to be much more careful about who they work with from now on.

Source: Reuters