Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, whether they plan to introduce guidance for local authorities on developing and testing exit arrangements before deploying emerging technologies in essential public services.

The Government is committed to ensuring that emerging technologies, including AI, are developed and deployed safely and responsibly. Most AI systems are already regulated at the point of use through existing expert regulators and legal safeguards. Government will legislate where needed, based on evidence of serious gaps in the existing framework.

Public sector organisations also have access to guidance and tools to support the responsible use of AI and other data-driven technologies, including the AI and Data Ethics Framework, the Model for Responsible Innovation and the Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard.

The AI Security Institute provides independent scientific and technical capability to test and assess advanced AI systems and identify vulnerabilities, helping Government understand emerging risks and strengthen safeguards.

The Government keeps its approach under review as technologies develop and will consider whether further guidance or protections are required to support the safe, reliable and accountable deployment of emerging technologies in public services.