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Question
Will the Secretary of State rule out regulatory alignment with the EU on AI issues? Can he assure the House that the AI sector will have reliable access to all the energy it needs?
Minister reply
We are determined to fully harness this opportunity for British businesses and working people right across the United Kingdom.
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Question
Welcomes the Government embracing AI and accepting all recommendations from Matt Clifford’s report. Emphasises business confidence in such a forward-thinking plan, stressing the importance of understanding the transformative potential of AI.
Minister reply
Agrees with her comments about business confidence and mentions additional £14 billion investment leading to up to 13,000 jobs created as a result of today’s announcements. Stresses regulatory innovation office and planning reforms so policies deliver into the short, medium and long term.
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Question
Concerned about economic malaise inherited from previous government, mentions public trust in AI safety infrastructure, calls for better funding access with simpler ways of working with international talent.
Minister reply
Commits to ensuring safety and public confidence. Consultation on intellectual property is ongoing; invites participation. Growth zones will focus on areas that suffered under Conservative Government.
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Question
Asks about AI growth zones for Stoke-on-Trent and its CreaTech hub.
Minister reply
Welcomes interest in growth zone area; invites Stoke-on-Trent to participate actively.
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Question
Concerned about the AI sector champion for creative industries and copyright regime consultation.
Minister reply
Responds by mentioning that they will not make a choice between two sectors. Emphasises the importance of maintaining current gold-standard copyright regime.
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Question
Inquires how small businesses and start-ups can benefit from the AI action plan.
Minister reply
Expects the plan to help small businesses seize opportunities of AI, delivering growth across the country.
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Question
Will the consultation on Matt Clifford’s recommendation for reform of the text and data mining regime include consideration of potentially strengthening intellectual property protection?
Minister reply
We want to ensure that we strengthen rights for those who use creative industries and copyrighted material, getting it right for the future.
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Question
Will my right hon. Friend meet me, and other AI champions from Milton Keynes, to come up with actions to make this plan a reality?
Minister reply
I look forward to meeting her and her stakeholders, as many of the constituent parts that make innovation magical exist in Milton Keynes but need better coordination.
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Question
Can he update the House on any conversations had with colleagues from the Home Office about ensuring police are trained, equipped and resourced to deal with AI-related crime?
Minister reply
We are indeed in touch with the Home Office to ensure that AI is used wisely and safely.
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Question
Can he say exactly what the Government will do to assist public services to take advantage of opportunities offered by AI?
Minister reply
AI improves productivity in health care, for instance, with more precise scanning and doctors spending more time with patients.
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Question
Could the Secretary of State reassure us that any AI tool being used across Government will ensure statements brought to the Dispatch Box are 100% accurate?
Minister reply
We are piloting, developing and deploying AI across Government to serve the people better than ever before.
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Question
Can my right hon. Friend set out what role he envisages the digital centre of Government will play in driving AI adoption across public services?
Minister reply
The digital centre of Government is working alongside tech companies and developing in-house, delivering benefits for citizens.
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Question
May I urge the Secretary of State to work closely with his Treasury colleague on pension reforms so that we can intensify understanding in the City of opportunities in this new sector?
Minister reply
We are working on pension reform, and want a comprehensive investment landscape for innovation.
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Question
Will my right hon. Friend work with stakeholders to ensure that the ambition to develop an exascale computer in Edinburgh is at the heart of the Government’s long-term plan?
Minister reply
We have committed to increasing public compute by a factor of 20 over five years and will make announcements on compute needs fully costed and funded.
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Question
Can he reassure people that our wonderful copyright regime will remain in place at the end of this process?
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Question
I welcome the Secretary of State’s statement. How will the Government work with communities to build public trust in AI technology, particularly in black and minority ethnic communities?
Minister reply
We are committed to ensuring equity from the outset. We will engage with diverse communities to address mistrust and ensure that their data is used ethically and safely.
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Question
Can you confirm your commitment to building equitable technology policies?
Minister reply
Absolutely, equity will be a cornerstone of our policies. We aim to benefit everyone from every background equally from the products created by AI technologies.
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Question
How can we ensure that data centre development does not lead to white elephant projects in areas like Kings Langley?
Minister reply
We have established the AI Energy Council and planning reforms to expedite investment while considering local needs. Other innovations often cluster around data centres, contributing to community benefits such as heat networks.
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Question
What does Vantage Data Centres’ £12 billion investment in UK data centres mean for areas like Monmouthshire?
Minister reply
This immediate investment is creating jobs and driving economic growth. We are grateful to have champions like my hon. Friend who help steer the benefits of these investments.
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Question
Can we ensure that concerns raised by Members are properly addressed, even if they are processed using AI tools?
Minister reply
Ministers are fully engaged in corresponding with Members. I strive to be better than what was experienced during previous years of opposition.
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Question
What progress is being made on assessing the UK's AI skills gap and ensuring growth benefits all parts of the country?
Minister reply
We are engaging with the Education Secretary to ensure equal access to technology’s potential for every community in the United Kingdom.
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Question
Does my right hon. Friend agree that our corner of Sussex is a strong contender to be a hub for sustainable AI development?
Minister reply
I agree with championing Sussex and am looking forward to meeting the hon. Lady in sunny Sussex.
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Question
How are the Government addressing challenges in post-industrial areas to ensure AI delivers highly skilled sustainable jobs?
Minister reply
Communities like Burton and Uttoxeter are at the forefront of our strategy. We will not let such communities be negatively impacted by technological changes.
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Question
Does the Secretary of State agree with me that following Europe’s opt-out model would water down exemplary UK copyright laws?
Minister reply
We are consulting on a package of proposals to address competing challenges while ensuring modern Britain benefits from AI opportunities.
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Question
Does my right hon. Friend agree that it is best for the UK to lead in developing safe and ethical AI systems?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. We are not sitting on the sidelines but exploring all potential benefits of AI safely and positively.
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Question
Is a competitive corporation tax rate needed to bring more data centre work to the UK?
Minister reply
The initiative is part of our broader strategy to position the UK as a global leader in AI, and we are confident it will attract significant investment.
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Question
Will the Secretary of State say a little more about his work to encourage more small businesses to benefit from AI, and will he consider Reading as a potential hub?
Minister reply
We want to get investment into great places like Reading, which has a lot of great small businesses. Small businesses in communities up and down the country could benefit the most.
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Question
How much money has been set aside to achieve his supercomputer ambitions?
Minister reply
I admire the way the Conservatives just push through with this. They did not commit a single penny to a single one of the projects that the hon. Gentleman mentions.
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Question
Does he agree that the commitment to artificial intelligence will lead to more investment in data-intensive heavy industries, such as chemicals and life sciences?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend could not be more right. Not only will AI improve the investment landscape for physical infrastructure but it will mean profound technological advances in all sorts of industries.
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Question
Will the Secretary State give the House a broad outline of his discussions with the Ministry of Defence on this important international issue?
Minister reply
The hon. Gentleman raises an incredibly important point. I assure him that we have a world-class defence industry in this country, and our Government are determined to ensure that digital technology is used ethically and appropriately.
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Question
How can areas work with the Government to get AI growth zones up and running, and how soon does he expect them to be operational?
Minister reply
In the coming weeks, we will release details of how local communities can get involved and apply to become AI growth zones; I really look forward to seeing his.
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Question
Will the new supercomputer be located in Edinburgh?
Minister reply
I have extended the life of the existing supercomputer for another year, so that people have the reassurance that the capabilities needed are there, via the University of Edinburgh.
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Question
Will the Secretary State work with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to explore whether SMRs could be the clean energy solution needed?
Minister reply
Investment is going into new sources of energy from investors around the world. I assure her that the AI Energy Council will take into consideration these sorts of issues.
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Question
Can the Secretary State explain how the plan will advance areas such as healthcare?
Minister reply
AI has enormous potential for the health service; it could improve productivity, bring about innovation, and advance treatments and medicine.
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Question
Will one of the AI growth zones be in Scotland?
Minister reply
I assure him that we want all parts of the United Kingdom to benefit. I am determined that all parts of the UK benefit, and that fully includes Scotland.
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Question
Does my right hon. Friend agree that we need to speed up the roll-out of small and advanced modular reactors?
Minister reply
I assure my hon. Friend that we are striving to ensure that innovation of all kinds is expedited.
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Question
What specific steps will he take to ensure that AI is safe in every possible way?
Minister reply
The work of the AI Safety Institute is ongoing, and it does world-class work. Of course, AI is fuelled by data, and we know that the public need reassurance that data will be used safely.
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Question
Welcoming the Secretary of State’s leadership on AI, Mr Sewards inquires about its application to reduce teacher workload and for personalized learning resources based on student ability.
Minister reply
The Secretary of State acknowledges the importance of digital technology and AI in providing a tailored educational experience for students with barriers or specific talents. He mentions ongoing work between his Department and the Department for Education to implement these technologies in schools.
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Question
Referencing a National Grid upgrade project in his constituency, Joe Powell asks about speeding up the planning system to facilitate critical new infrastructure.
Minister reply
The Secretary of State expresses gratitude for the question and confirms their determination to reform the planning system, ensuring it expedites investment into future industries and infrastructure without delay.