Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

AI Regulation

Wednesday 15 November 2023 · 3 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government is working with media organisations and online platforms to address concerns about deepfakes and disinformation.
  • The Government has not included AI regulation in the King's Speech, opting for a contextual and proportionate response to understand the risks involved.
  • The AI Safety Institute will focus on assessing risks and working with the private sector to encourage innovation and growth.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Preet Kaur Gill Labour (Co-op) Birmingham Edgbaston
Democracy & Elections Science & Technology
Context

Concerns over the misuse and potential risks associated with artificial intelligence technology.

Question

What steps are the Government taking to regulate AI? This weekend I was disturbed by news of a deepfake audio of Sadiq Khan circulating online, clearly manufactured to whip up hate and disinformation. That is cause for grave concern for elected representatives. With elections next year, does the Minister recognise the urgent need for binding, not voluntary, regulation of frontier AI?

Answer from Saqib Bhatti

I share those concerns and have been following the news. We are working with media organisations and online platforms, and looking at this closely with the defending democracy taskforce.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address whether there is a need for binding regulation specifically in light of deepfake incidents and upcoming elections

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q2 Preet Kaur Gill Labour (Co-op) Birmingham Edgbaston
Brexit Science & Technology
Context

The Science and Technology Committee has been in Brussels listening to how the EU is progressing with its regulation of AI, yet no legislation was included in the King's Speech despite a commitment.

Question

This week, the Science and Technology Committee has been in Brussels listening to how the EU is progressing with its regulation of AI. Despite the commitment to introducing legislation in the White Paper, it was not included in the King's Speech. Why not?

Answer from Saqib Bhatti

The Government have been clear that we will take a contextual and proportionate response. We need first to understand the risks involved before adapting accordingly.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide reasons for excluding legislation from the King's Speech despite previous commitments

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q3 Tracey Crouch Con
NHS Science & Technology
Context

AI has potential benefits across the public sector, but there is no specific task for the new safety institute to find uses that improve public services.

Question

I welcome the Minister's role and congratulate him on his appointment and newborn child. I hope he is getting some sleep in these busy days. AI has huge potential benefits in hospitals, but why isn't the new safety institute tasked with finding ways to use AI for improving our public services?

Answer from Saqib Bhatti

The AI Safety Institute will look at risks involved. We are working with the private sector and ensuring a regulatory framework that encourages innovation and growth in both sectors.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not explain why the institute isn't tasked with finding new uses to improve public services

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)