Artificial Intelligence Technologies: Regulation
(East Worthing and Shoreham) (Con)
5. What steps she is taking to ensure effective regulation of
artificial intelligence technologies.
The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
()
Artificial intelligence plays a vital role in our economy and
society, from helping doctors to identify cancers faster to
powering smart devices and driverless cars. We recognise the need
to act not only to unlock the opportunities but to address the
potential risks of this technology. Our White Paper articulates
what the responsible development and use of AI should look like,
supporting innovation while protecting people so that businesses,
consumers and the wider economy can all benefit.
When advances in medical technology—around genetic engineering,
for example—raise sensitive issues, we have debates on medical
ethics, we adapt legislation and we put in place robust
regulation and oversight. The explosion in AI potentially poses
the same level of moral dilemma and is open to criminal use for
fraud or impersonation and by malign players such as the Chinese
Government, for example. As leaders in AI, what should the UK be
doing to balance safety with opportunity and innovation?
I recognise the profound experience from which my hon. Friend
speaks. We also recognise that many technologies can pose a risk
when in the wrong hands. The UK is a global leader in AI, with a
strategic advantage that places us at the forefront of these
developments. Through UK leadership—at the OECD, the G7, the
Council of Europe and more—we are promoting our vision for a
global ecosystem that balances innovation and the use of AI,
underpinned by our shared values of freedom, fairness and
democracy. Our approach will be proportionate, pro-innovative and
adaptable. Meanwhile, the integrated review refresh recognises
the challenges that are posed by China.
(Bristol North West) (Lab)
With elections under way and a general election due next year,
people are rightly concerned about the fake videos, images and
audio being created by artificial intelligence. Can the Secretary
of State confirm to the House what actions her Department is
taking to protect the integrity of our democratic processes in
that context?
I welcome the hon. Gentleman’s involvement, and I look forward to
debating these issues with him and others across the House. I can
understand his concerns and the anxiety that sits behind his
question. We have a fully developed regime of electoral law that
already accounts for election offences such as false statements
by candidates, but in addition to the existing regulations we are
setting out an approach on AI that will look to regulators in
different sectors to apply the correct guidance. We will also add
a central co-ordinating function that will be able to seek out
risks and deal with them flexibly, appropriately and
proportionately.
Mr Speaker
I call the Chair of the Science, Innovation and Technology
Committee.
(Tunbridge Wells) (Con)
I warmly welcome my right hon. Friend to the Dispatch Box. We can
get a lot done in 10 weeks, in my experience, and I am sure she
will do so.
At its best, Britain has been highly influential in setting
international standards that combine confidence with security.
Does my right hon. Friend agree with me and the hon. Member for
Bristol North West (), the Chair of the Business,
Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee, that the UK should now
seize the initiative and set out an international approach to
standards in AI, so we can gain all the benefits that come from
AI while making sure we do not suffer the harms attendant on it?
The short answer is yes. I welcome my right hon. Friend’s
expertise, experience and encouragement as I begin my role. He is
right that the UK has a global leadership position, and we rank
in the global top three in many aspects of this question and
others throughout science and technology. We will therefore seek
a leadership role so any regulation of AI that may be needed
reflects our values and strikes the correct balance.
(Cardiff West) (Lab)
One area in which our global leadership is a reality, not just
rhetoric, is the creative industries. What assurance can the
Government give to our music makers, writers and others that AI
will be properly regulated to make sure their creative content is
protected, and so we can maintain our global leadership?
The hon. Gentleman makes a very good point, which comes from his
deep expertise in music and the creative industries more
generally. I look forward to my conversations with the industry
on this very subject this afternoon. The UK has world-leading
copyright and intellectual property protections, and we know how
important they are for the continued success of the creative
industries. We want to maintain them, and they will therefore be
a focus as we take this work forward.
