Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the press release entitled Study reveals how conversational AI can exert influence over political beliefs, published by the University of Oxford on 11 December, what assessment her Department has made of the impact of AI chatbots on political campaigns in the UK, particularly regarding regulation.

The trajectory of AI development is uncertain and evolving quickly. New AI technologies, including ‘chatbot’ style applications built on frontier AI models, offer both opportunities and risks. It is imperative that we to understand these impacts from a scientific perspective, especially where they have potential to impact the mental health of people in the UK.

The AI Security Institute is conducting a range of research projects to advance the evidence base around the impacts of AI, to ensure the government is prepared to realise opportunities and mitigate risks. It informs government’s ability to respond appropriately to the issue.