Artificial Intelligence: Impact on Human Relationships and Society

Lord Taylor of Warwick Excerpts

Friday 5th June 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Taylor of Warwick (Non-Afl)]

My Lords, I, too, thank the most reverend Primate the Archbishop of Canterbury for introducing this important debate. Through artificial intelligence, what was once considered science fiction has become science fact. Innovation and technology have brought solutions to people’s problems. Britain can be proud of the fact that it started the Industrial Revolution, but we are now in the fast-moving AI revolution, and the bait hides a hook.

In 1997, I had the pleasure of presenting the Bill that established Britain’s first ever comprehensive DNA database. However, without DNA regulation, we would not have experienced that positive DNA revolution. As a result, we became the first nation in the world to embrace this ground-breaking technology. Nearly 30 years later, the DNA database has positively transformed the effectiveness of medicine, forensic science and research science. Some 175 of the 195 nations in the world now utilise DNA profiles.

In the King’s Speech, there was no mention of an AI Bill. In January last year, the Government announced their intention to consult on proposed legislation to regulate AI and put the AI Security Institute on a statutory footing. Nearly 18 months later, the Government have not acted on these plans. I ask the Minister: why not?

Over half the adults and young people in the UK use artificial intelligence. This can produce human-like content and dialogue. However, we must not forget that each one of us has AI—it is called actual intelligence. There is a danger that increased use of AI for “friendship” could reduce incentives to maintain human relationships, with negative long-term social consequences. AI companions are always available and do not have their own needs, so people may find interacting with an AI friend easier than sustaining a human relationship.

For 10 years, I had the privilege of being vice-president of the British Board of Film Classification. We regulated films and video games from all over the world but particularly from Hollywood. Our remit was to protect children and other vulnerable sections of society. We saw how powerful films and video games can be in affecting emotions and ways in which the world is perceived. AI is having an increasing effect on these creative industries, including with films and video games. There must be AI guardrails. It is easier to build a strong child than to repair a broken man.

I am encouraged by the potential AI applications in healthcare. We are all living longer and the demands on the National Health Service are greater than ever. More money is being spent on the NHS, but simply spending more money is not the answer. It is like pouring water into a bath with the plug out. AI is creating new ways to treat illness and streamlining the management to make it more effective. However, there must be oversight from human doctors, nurses and other medical staff.

AI brings with it other challenges which are yet to be met. They include the impact on jobs and careers, the protection of copyright in the creative industries and the potential impact on the environment. AI models require large amounts of electricity, with increased carbon emissions. Each use of an AI tool needs a significant amount of energy. A ChatGPT query uses about five times more energy than a simple web search.

The irony is that the growth of AI technology could find its biggest obstacle in the lack of physical buildings to develop it in. Planning laws are available to people who oppose data centres in their locality. The energy consumption of data centres globally has increased greatly since 2022. It is expected that, by the end of this year, data centres will consume 1,050 terawatt hours—equal to the amount of the electricity consumption for Japan and Russia. Even the mining of raw materials needed to make the processors used for AI often involve harmful effects on the environment.

Some critics claim that AI machines may become more and more like humans. The danger may be that humans try to become more like machines, with a constant search for perfection and efficiency. It is the human soul that will always be unique. Beethoven created his wonderful ninth symphony to inspire the world at a time when he had become totally deaf and could not hear the music himself. Human beings, not machines, have the qualities of courage, faith, love, intuition, curiosity, imagination and creativity. They also experience sadness, failure, ill health and doubt. Yes, a machine can be manufactured with no visible imperfections or cracks, but in humans it is sometimes the cracks that let the light in.