Product Regulation and Metrology Bill [HL]

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath Excerpts

Report stage
Wednesday 26th February 2025 Lords Chamber

[The Minister of State, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (Lord Hunt of Kings Heath) (Lab)]

My Lords, although it has been a short debate it has been a very interesting one that covered areas much wider than the Bill encompasses, but we do take very careful note of the points being raised.

I say to the noble Lord, Lord Holmes, that I very much take his point about consumer protection. His amendments require a review of AI and product regulations, regulations on the labelling of AI-related products and musical content, and the role of metrology in artificial intelligence. A number of noble Lords said what I am going to say, which is that this Bill is not an AI Bill. Its powers extend to intangible components such as software and AI systems only in so far as this is needed to keep our product regulations for physical products updated and responsive to new technologies and new risks. In amending the Bill, we make absolutely clear that such intangible components can include software but not AI systems in themselves, digital products or music.

I say to the noble Viscount, Lord Camrose, that the Government launched a wide-ranging consultation on AI and intellectual property on 17 December. It is clear that we are receiving many views, very strongly expressed. Obviously, we are looking at them, and taking views on a number of topics which look at how copyright laws interact with AI.

We will of course be considering how the growth of AI affects the safety of the products this Bill seeks to regulate, and our regulatory response to that, as a number of the amendments from the noble Lord, Lord Holmes, suggested. Throughout our approach to product regulation —not just things applicable to AI—we are committed to supporting and enabling innovation. For instance, we see AI-supported machine learning in products such as robot vacuum cleaners. A future in which robots that would function as home carers are being developed with AI is just one example of how this is being used, and its potential for the future.

It is a fast-developing sector, as we know, and we will obviously continue to work with businesses and consumer groups to understand the needs and development of the AI sector, and what that means for the risks that physical products may present to consumers, before we consider any regulation of products containing AI under this Bill.

In defence of the Bill and the way it has been drafted, I would argue that the flexibility we have is essential in relation to this sector. Alas, the noble Lord, Lord Pannick, is not with us to lend support to that.

The noble Viscount, Lord Camrose, asked about legislation, and it is a very fair question. He knows that we set our intent in our manifesto. We are developing legislative proposals which will allow us safely to realise the enormous benefits of the most powerful AI systems. We have the consultation and we are engaging with stakeholders, but I cannot really give him any more detail than that.

In the light of the very important amendments from the noble Lord, Lord Holmes, and given the lateness of the hour, I would really like to offer a meeting with him, perhaps between now and next week, if he would find it helpful. The noble Lord, Lord Fox, elegantly invited himself to the meeting, and if the noble Lord, Lord Holmes, is willing—and I suspect he is—that would be very welcome too. At that meeting we can also pick up the helpful suggestion from the noble Lord, Lord Fox, about the potential use of the code of conduct to deal with some of these matters. I will pick up the very important contribution from the noble Viscount, Lord Camrose, as well.

The noble Lord, Lord Sharpe, raises an important issue in Amendment 43. We cannot support the amendment, but I hope he knows from the Government’s response that we consider the need to encourage innovation and growth to be very important. He will also know that we set out measures to achieve our AI ambitions as part of the AI opportunities action plan. We think it is a bold and forward-leaning position that will establish the UK as a global leader in AI. We have a platform. We have made considerable progress but clearly, we need to go further. I hope the noble Lord recognises that I very much accept the principle of his amendment.