AI: Cross-sector Legislation

Debate between Earl of Clancarty and Lord Vallance of Balham

Tuesday 29th April 2025 Lords Chamber

[Lord Vallance of Balham (Lab)]

Yes, regulation is clearly important, and that is why we formed the Regulatory Innovation Office, which is looking at AI, among other areas, including AI in healthcare. There are a number of actions being taken to boost regulator capability; that is one of the things that the Regulatory Innovation Office is working on. The regulators’ pioneer fund is also relevant to increasing and boosting the ability of regulators to undertake this. Development of capabilities takes place through the DRCF, the forum of the digital regulators that I have referred to, and there will be more in that area. In the SR, regulators have been encouraged to put in bids relating to boosting capability in AI.

[The Earl of Clancarty (CB)]

My Lords, one of the things that the creative industries are seeking—perhaps the most immediate priority—is the transparency of information held by tech companies. Is that going to happen?

[Lord Vallance of Balham (Lab)]

As the noble Earl is aware, transparency is one of the key issues in the consultation at the moment. We know that transparency of use of and output from AI systems is possible and should be encouraged. It requires technological advances to do that fully, but it is exactly what needs to happen to be sure what is being used, how it is being used and how the output relates to the input.

Artificial Intelligence: Regulation

Debate between Earl of Clancarty and Lord Vallance of Balham

Monday 10th February 2025 Lords Chamber

[Lord Vallance of Balham (Lab)]

I completely agree with my noble friend that the aim of AI should be to increase the opportunity for those things that humans can do, and that includes, of course, human-to-human interaction. It is a very important point to consider as this is rolled out, including across the NHS. On automated decision-making, we have been clear that there needs to be human involvement in terms of somebody who knows what they are doing having the opportunity to review a decision and to alter it if necessary.

[The Earl of Clancarty (CB)]

My Lords—

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[The Earl of Clancarty (CB)]

My Lords, the Government will have heard clearly enough by now—consultation or no consultation—that the creative industries want, and indeed require, an opt-in on the use of their own data. Will the Government simply listen and do this?

[Lord Vallance of Balham (Lab)]

We are clearly in the middle of a consultation. It is due to read out on 25 February. We are accumulating evidence both on how this would work and on the technologies necessary to make it work. It would be inappropriate to jump to a conclusion before we hear all that.