We're in AI arms race with criminals, warns senior MP

Ministers and AI developers are locked in an “arms race” with criminals and rogue states attempting to use the technology for harm, a senior MP has warned, calling for more clarity on how it will be regulated.

- MILLIE COOKE

Chi Onwurah, who chairs the science, innovation and technology committee, told The Independent that the “creativity and focus of criminal enterprises on adopting technology is unimaginable”. But the Labour MP stressed that AI should not simply be seen as a force for harm, saying when used correctly it can be a “transformative technology that can really improve people’s lives. We really need to understand what it’s capable of, what it’s doing right now and the impact it’s going to have – and I don’t think we’re in that position”.

She went on: “We’re clearly in an arms race with the criminals using AI, and those using AI for the public good… we need to make sure that the developers are on the side of the public good, because we know the criminals are absolutely focused on using it for criminal ends.”