AI: International Co-operation

Earl of Courtown Excerpts

Wednesday 22nd July 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Lloyd of Effra (Lab)]

With the AI Security Institute, we have a world-leading, world-class institution that is able to test frontier models and provide advice, including with the National Cyber Security Centre, in order to equip companies against the risks that are prevalent with the advances in these technologies. That is exactly what happened earlier, and we encourage all firms and other organisations to take the mitigations that are necessary to reduce vulnerabilities and increase resilience. On the question of AI sovereignty and technological developments, we are absolutely taking an approach to build out AI capabilities. That is why we have the AI hardware plan to support development in that area, as well as the sovereign AI fund.

[The Earl of Courtown (Con)]

My Lords, I thank the noble and learned Lord, Lord Davidson, for bringing this important subject to the House today. Can the Minister tell the House whether the relevant Minister or officials have spoken to trusted international partners before responding to this offer from the President of China? Can she also inform the House, since the former Prime Minister made much of his thawing of relations with China, whether our new Prime Minister will continue with that approach?

[Baroness Lloyd of Effra (Lab)]

The UK is not a member of the World AI Cooperation Organization. We are carefully assessing its implications for UK interests in global AI governance and international technology standards. As yet, we have not seen any detailed proposals for its mandate or activities. We do believe that co-operation and dialogue is essential, including dialogue with China on all these matters.