Oral Answers to Questions

Owen Thompson Excerpts

Wednesday 19th July 2023 Commons Chamber

The Secretary of State was asked—

[Owen Thompson (Midlothian) (SNP)]

1. Whether she plans to bring forward legislative proposals to regulate the use of artificial intelligence.

[Drew Hendry (Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey) (SNP)]

4. Whether she plans to bring forward legislative proposals to regulate the use of artificial intelligence.

[The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology (Chloe Smith)]

Our White Paper set out how we will regulate AI through a flexible framework underpinned by five principles. This proportionate and adaptable approach has been welcomed by British business. It includes new monitoring functions allowing us to update our approach in response to a rapidly evolving technology. The Government will come back with proposals in the autumn following the White Paper consultation.

[Owen Thompson]

AI has been used by public authorities in a wide range of contexts that affect individual rights, from facial recognition technology used by police to the system used by the Department for Work and Pensions to investigate benefits claimants. Does the Secretary of State agree that public trust in the state of AI is essential and that any changes to the law will require public support and, therefore, greater consultation to ensure that that trust is not undermined?

[Chloe Smith]

The hon. Gentleman makes a thoughtful point. He is right that we need a comprehensive public debate on many of these points. He named some risks that concern him. I would marry those with consideration about opportunities. For example, my colleagues in the Department for Work and Pensions are also looking at how the technology can help with job matching and ensuring that people have information about the job market. I look forward to further conversations, as he said, as we go forward with this critical technology.