A cross-party parliamentary committee is now calling for urgent new AI human rights legislation to tackle the escalating risks posed by artificial intelligence. Lawmakers assert that current laws are significantly outpaced by the technology’s rapid development.
The Joint Committee on Human Rights (JCHR) recently released a detailed report. This document advocates for a dedicated AI bill. Such a measure is vital to address the “scale and seriousness” of these emerging threats, the committee states.
Alex Sobel, a Labour MP and the committee chair, highlighted global legislative shortcomings. He declared that no country, including the UK, currently possesses a regulatory framework for AI that is truly fit for purpose. Moreover, he described AI as bringing an “unprecedented era” of technological change.
The committee’s 100-page report summarises numerous human rights abuses linked to AI. For example, it cites the creation of sexualised images of women and girls. It also mentions the scanning of individuals’ faces without their explicit consent.
Therefore, the JCHR recommends establishing a “single, independent AI oversight body.” This entity should operate on a statutory basis. The current legal landscape is “fragmented and difficult to navigate,” the report argues, creating significant “gaps in protection.”
Additionally, the report urges “more demanding obligations” for high-risk AI systems. These rules should apply throughout the entire “AI lifecycle.” Some AI applications, the committee suggests, should be completely prohibited. These include subliminal techniques and the misuse of profiling or biometric data.
Labour’s education minister, Georgia Gould, acknowledged AI’s opportunities. However, she stressed the importance of government vigilance in “responding to those risks.” She indicated that “action is happening,” referencing efforts against non-consensual deepfakes and cyber security measures.
The government had previously committed to “appropriate legislation” in July 2024. Yet, no specific AI bill appeared in this year’s King’s Speech. Meanwhile, the AI Security Institute is actively working through future challenges, testing models entering the UK, Gould explained. International cooperation is also considered essential.
Growing anxiety surrounds AI’s societal challenges. A former Anthropic researcher, Jacob Coxon, recently stated that staff developing these systems are “genuinely frightened” for humanity’s future. Anthropic’s head, Dario Amodei, has himself proposed a plan for global and industry-wide AI regulation, advocating for a slowed pace of development. Leading AI figures like Sam Altman of OpenAI and Elon Musk have expressed agreement.
Past concerns have also focused on AI biases. These can arise from training data containing racist or sexist material. Furthermore, AI technology could potentially be weaponised to generate and spread misinformation on a vast scale.
