AI Superintelligence

Viscount Colville of Culross Excerpts

Tuesday 3rd February 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Leong (Lab)]

The noble Lord is aware that the Government are spending £2 billion on supporting all AI-related projects. We are investing £500 million in our Sovereign AI Unit, supporting UK businesses to compete internationally. The noble Lord is absolutely right: the world is changing and we have to be at the forefront by making sure that our people have the skills. More importantly, if we want AI to work for Britain, we need Britons who can work with AI.

[Viscount Colville of Culross (CB)]

My Lords, the California AI Transparency Act has set up a mechanism for developers of large language frontier models to publish a report on a model’s intended uses and an assessment of catastrophic risks before it is released. Is that a requirement that His Majesty’s Government might consider introducing in this country?

[Lord Leong (Lab)]

The noble Lord is right to highlight that issue. We are doing a lot already, but we must do more. As I said, we are investing in establishing our Sovereign AI Unit, we will equip some 10 million people with AI skills by 2030, and we will go further by supporting our SMEs to grow the AI market in this country.