Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Artificial Intelligence Regulation

Wednesday 14 June 2023 · 4 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 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister stated the UK will regulate AI through a flexible framework with five key principles.
  • Government is working on the Online Safety Bill to enhance protections for children online from AI risks.
  • Minister emphasized the UK's ambition to lead internationally in AI regulation and safety.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Alan Brown SNP
Science & Technology
Context

The question arises from concerns about the regulation and oversight of AI technologies.

Question

Whether she plans to introduce legislative proposals on regulating artificial intelligence. The White Paper outlines a flexible framework underpinned by five important principles but does not specify if it will include statutory duty on regulators or how risk monitoring functions will be implemented.

Answer from Chloe Smith

Our White Paper was clear that we will regulate AI through a flexible framework underpinned by five important principles. That proportionate and adaptable approach has been welcomed by British business and will include new risk monitoring functions to ensure that the UK leads the world in AI safety, as well as anticipating the introduction of a statutory duty on regulators in time.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify if there will be specific legislation for AI regulation or details about risk monitoring functions implementation

How: Welcomed By British Business

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Q2 Alan Brown SNP
Culture, Media & Sport Children & Families
Context

Concerns raised over Snapchat's My AI chatbot encouraging a journalist posing as a 13-year-old girl to meet up with an adult.

Question

In terms of risk, I am sure that the Minister will be concerned that Snapchat's My AI chatbot recently encouraged a journalist who was posing as a 13-year-old girl to meet up with a 35-year-old man. What specifically are the Government doing to beef up online safety regulation to protect children from the emerging risk of AI?

Answer from Chloe Smith

I am concerned to hear the examples that the hon. Member gives. That is exactly why this House and the other place have spent considerable time going over the provisions in the Online Safety Bill, which goes to the heart of the issues that he raises and includes AI in its scope.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify specific measures for improving online safety regulations for AI

How: Considerable Time Going Over Provisions

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Q3 Jeremy Wright Con Kenilworth and Southam
Science & Technology
Context

Discussion about the international dimension of AI regulation and the need for swift action in line with technological development.

Question

Does my right hon. Friend agree that when it comes to AI regulation, two things are important? The first is that there is a significant international dimension, and I congratulate her and the Prime Minister on what they have already achieved in setting out this country's stall to be a global leader in AI regulation. Secondly, does she agree that the lesson to be learned from the Online Safety Bill, which she mentioned, is that we must regulate swiftly, rather than waiting for the technology to develop and attempting to retrofit the regulation on to the technology?

Answer from Chloe Smith

I welcome my right hon. and learned Friend's contribution—he knows a great deal about these matters. First, I acknowledge his welcome for the approach we will be taking internationally. It is exactly right that the UK can and should lead in this space, as the Prime Minister has set out, and that is what we will do with our global summit on AI safety.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address the swift regulation aspect explicitly

How: Welcome For The Approach Internationally

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Q4 Alex Davies-Jones Lab Pontypridd
Economy Employment Science & Technology
Context

Concerns about lack of industrial strategy and outdated White Paper leading to workers being left behind as AI technologies become more prevalent.

Question

The rapid growth of AI has the potential to revolutionise the economy and our public services, but with no industrial strategy to speak of and their White Paper already out of date, this Government are behind the curve and risk leaving our workforces behind as AI becomes more prevalent. Exactly what is the Secretary of State doing to ensure that nobody is left behind, and that workers are trained in the digital skills needed to gain high-quality jobs that harness AI's potential and opportunities?

Answer from Chloe Smith

I think the hon. Lady is on the wrong track here. I must say that I have not seen any substance to Labour's approach in this field either, which perhaps will not come as a surprise—no doubt it will be covered more in 10 minutes' time. What I would say is that we are taking the approach of ensuring that we do have the skills of the future: for example, we are investing £30 million in conversion courses to enable people from disadvantaged backgrounds to come into AI, so that they can be part of the technologies of the future.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address lack of industrial strategy or outdated White Paper

How: On The Wrong Track, No Substance To Labour'S Approach

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