A growing number of the UK’s top cybersecurity leaders are sounding the alarm over artificial intelligence platforms, with Chinese-developed DeepSeek emerging as a particular concern. According to new research, Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) believe government intervention is urgently needed to prevent AI from becoming a catalyst for a national cyber crisis.
Rising Anxiety in Security Operation Centres
AI was initially celebrated as a breakthrough for efficiency and innovation, but for those responsible for defending corporate networks, it is increasingly viewed as a double-edged sword. A survey of 250 CISOs at large UK organisations, conducted for Absolute Security’s UK Resilience Risk Index Report, found that 81% are calling for immediate government regulation of AI chatbots such as DeepSeek.
The concerns are not abstract. CISOs warn that AI tools could expose sensitive data, be weaponised by cybercriminals, and overwhelm existing privacy and governance frameworks. More than one in three (34%) security leaders have already banned AI tools entirely, while another 30% have rolled back deployments due to escalating risks.
A Growing Security Gap
The survey highlights just how quickly the security landscape is shifting. Three in five CISOs predict that DeepSeek’s rise will lead to a direct increase in cyberattacks. An identical proportion say the technology is already disrupting their compliance and governance structures.
Perhaps most striking, 42% of CISOs now view AI as more of a threat than an asset in defending against attacks. Almost half (46%) admitted their teams are unprepared to handle AI-driven threats, underscoring a widening “readiness gap” between evolving technologies and defensive capabilities.
“Emerging AI tools like DeepSeek are reshaping the cyber threat landscape,” said Andy Ward, SVP International at Absolute Security. “CISOs have seen how fast this technology is advancing and how easily it can outpace current defences. That’s why four in five are urgently calling for government regulation.”
Balancing Caution with Innovation
Despite these warnings, businesses are not walking away from AI altogether. Instead, they are taking a more cautious, strategic approach. The survey found that 84% of organisations are prioritising the hiring of AI specialists in 2025, while 80% are rolling out AI training for senior executives.
This two-pronged strategy — upskilling leaders while investing in specialist talent — reflects a belief that AI’s potential benefits can only be unlocked if security risks are managed effectively.
Call for National Oversight
CISOs argue that regulation is now essential to establish clear rules of engagement for AI. They want a framework that defines how platforms like DeepSeek can be deployed, governed, and monitored. Without it, experts warn, UK businesses face the risk of widespread disruption across critical sectors.
“The time for debate is over,” Ward added. “We need immediate action, policy, and oversight to ensure AI remains a force for progress, not a catalyst for crisis.”
