Artificial Intelligence: Legislation

Debate between Baroness Lloyd of Effra and Lord Taylor of Warwick

Thursday 16th July 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Taylor of Warwick]

To ask His Majesty’s Government whether, and if so when, they expect to bring forward legislation on the development and use of artificial intelligence in the United Kingdom.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (Baroness Lloyd of Effra) (Lab)]

My Lords, AI has the potential for significant advances in science, productivity and living standards if adopted securely. While we are taking steps to develop our sovereign capability, we are also bringing forward the regulation for growth Bill to ensure that our regulatory environment drives the growth we need to seize the opportunities brought by AI. Through our world-leading AI Security Institute, we are supporting international safeguard developments and ensuring that the Government have the best understanding of model capabilities as they advance.

[Lord Taylor of Warwick (Non-Afl)]

My Lords, I thank the Minister for that Answer, but I also say well done to the England football team for reaching the semi-finals of the World Cup. In doing so, they demonstrated AI—actual intelligence.

The stone age did not end because we ran out of stone. AI technology has given us amazing ways of solving everyday problems. The Minister mentioned the AI Security Institute. It plays an important role, especially concerning research, but it does not have powers to compel companies to engage with or to protect us against serious risks from AI. We know that AI can bring great benefits, from health to wealth, but it can also bring problems. Can the Minister therefore tell us when we will have AI regulation? The Government seem to have a “wait and see” attitude. AI also sees, but it does not wait.

[Baroness Lloyd of Effra (Lab)]

The Government are acting to ensure that the UK can grasp the transformative potential of AI. That includes developing our sovereign capability and, as the noble Lord mentioned, relying on the advice of the AI Security Institute. Our approach is that we will legislate where we need to. We have done so through the Online Safety Act and we are doing so in other areas where we see the need. We believe that the best way of regulating is through context-specific regulation, which will take into account the specific issues that arise when AI is adopted by particular sectors.