Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Artificial Intelligence Technologies: Regulation

Wednesday 3 May 2023 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The UK is promoting a global ecosystem for AI that balances innovation with shared values of freedom, fairness, and democracy.
  • The Department is setting out an approach to AI that will involve regulators in different sectors to apply appropriate guidance to protect electoral integrity.
  • The UK aims to seize the initiative and set international standards in AI to reflect its global leadership in science and technology.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Tim Loughton Con
Science & Technology
Context

Discussion on the regulation and oversight needed for AI to ensure its responsible development.

Question

What steps she is taking to ensure effective regulation of artificial intelligence technologies. When advances in medical technology—around genetic engineering, for example—raise sensitive issues, we have debates on medical ethics, adapt legislation and 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. As leaders in AI, what should the UK be doing to balance safety with opportunity and innovation?

Answer from Chloe Smith

We recognise the need to act not only to unlock the opportunities but to address the potential risks of AI. Through UK leadership—we are promoting our vision for a global ecosystem that balances innovation and the use of AI, underpinned by shared values of freedom, fairness and democracy. Our approach will be proportionate, pro-innovative and adaptable.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific actions or commitments regarding regulation of AI for safety and ethical concerns.

How: Promoting Our Vision, Leadership In International Forums

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Q2 Tim Loughton Con
Democracy & Elections Science & Technology
Context

Concerns about the integrity of elections due to fake videos, images and audio created by artificial intelligence.

Question

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?

Answer from Chloe Smith

We have a fully developed regime of electoral law that already accounts for election offences such as false statements by candidates, but in addition 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 can seek out risks and deal with them flexibly, appropriately and proportionately.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify concrete actions or commitments beyond existing electoral law and future approach development.

How: Setting Out An Approach, Adding A Central Co-Ordinating Function

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Q3 Darren Jones Lab Bristol North West
Science & Technology
Context

Discussion on the UK's global leadership position in setting international standards for technology and AI.

Question

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?

Answer from Chloe Smith

The short answer is yes. The UK has a global leadership position, and we rank in the top three globally 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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific steps or commitments for taking a leadership role in setting standards.

How: Short Answer Is Yes, Seeking A Leadership Role

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Q4 Greg Clark Con
Culture, Media & Sport Science & Technology
Context

Concern about the need to protect creative content in the face of advancing artificial intelligence technology.

Question

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?

Answer from Chloe Smith

The UK has world-leading copyright and intellectual property protections, and they will therefore be a focus as we take this work forward. I look forward to conversations with the industry on this very subject.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific assurances or concrete commitments regarding regulation of AI for creative content protection.

How: World-Leading Copyright Protections, Forward-Looking Conversations

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Q5 Kevin Brennan Lab
Science & Technology
Context

Discussion on the need for effective regulation of artificial intelligence technologies to unlock opportunities while addressing risks.

Question

What steps she is taking to ensure effective regulation of artificial intelligence technologies?

Answer from Chloe Smith

Artificial intelligence plays a vital role in our economy and society. 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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific steps or commitments beyond general recognition of need for regulation.

How: White Paper Articulating Responsible Use, Supporting Innovation While Protecting People

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