MPs and peers urge new AI law over human rights risks

A cross-party group of MPs and peers has called for a new UK law to address human rights risks linked to AI, warning that existing legislation is not fit for the speed and complexity of the technology. The Joint Committee on Human Rights said the current framework is fragmented, difficult to navigate and leaves gaps in protection.

In a 100-page report, the committee cited risks including AI-generated sexualised images of women and girls, facial scanning without consent, biased systems trained on problematic internet datasets, and the creation or spread of misinformation. It urged ministers to establish a single independent AI oversight body on a statutory basis, impose tougher obligations on higher-risk systems across the AI lifecycle, and prohibit uses deemed incompatible with human rights.

Labour education minister Georgia Gould said AI was creating opportunities but that the government must respond to the risks. She pointed to action on non-consensual sexualised deepfakes, cyber security legislation and the AI Security Institute’s work testing models entering the UK, while also stressing the need for international cooperation.