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Written Question
Autonomous Weapons: Artificial Intelligence
Tuesday 23rd October 2018

Asked by: Jo Swinson (Liberal Democrat - East Dunbartonshire)

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether the remit of the forthcoming Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation will include the role of artificial intelligence in autonomous weapons systems.

Answered by Margot James

The UK Government is establishing the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation to identify the measures needed to strengthen and improve the way in which data and AI is used, which will include promoting best practice and advising on how to address potential gaps in the regulatory landscape. The Centre is being established in the first instance in an interim form, following a public consultation on its remit and activities. The content and prioritisation of its work programme will be determined in dialogue with government once it is operational later this year.

The Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has not had recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Defence on this matter, however officials from both departments meet to discuss these and related AI issues.


Written Question
Autonomous Weapons
Tuesday 23rd October 2018

Asked by: Jo Swinson (Liberal Democrat - East Dunbartonshire)

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Defence on the potential risks associated with the creation of lethal autonomous weapons systems.

Answered by Margot James

The UK Government is establishing the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation to identify the measures needed to strengthen and improve the way in which data and AI is used, which will include promoting best practice and advising on how to address potential gaps in the regulatory landscape. The Centre is being established in the first instance in an interim form, following a public consultation on its remit and activities. The content and prioritisation of its work programme will be determined in dialogue with government once it is operational later this year.

The Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has not had recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Defence on this matter, however officials from both departments meet to discuss these and related AI issues.


Written Question
Music: Discrimination and Harassment
Tuesday 26th June 2018

Asked by: Jo Swinson (Liberal Democrat - East Dunbartonshire)

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions he has had with the Minister for Women and Equalities on tackling harassment and discrimination in the music sector.

Answered by Margot James

No such discussions have taken place. This government believes, everyone has the right to feel safe at work and people can only thrive when they operate in a respectful and tolerant environment so that they can make the most of their creative talents.


Written Question
Music: Discrimination
Tuesday 26th June 2018

Asked by: Jo Swinson (Liberal Democrat - East Dunbartonshire)

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of the recommendations in the report Dignity at Work published by the Incorporated Society of Musician's in April 2018.

Answered by Margot James

We are supportive of any steps taken by industry to help ensure people can feel safe and respected in their place of work. We welcome the work being undertaken by the Incorporated Society of Musicians and others within the sector.