Every parliamentary written question tabled by Iqbal Mohamed this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 21–40 of 51 · Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
Innovation and Technology, whether a formal contract has been signed with Nscale for the construction of the proposed AI datacentre in Loughton, Essex.
Matters regarding specific delivery and commercial plans for any private project are for the lead private sector investor to confirm. The government engages regularly with the sector to support build out.
Innovation and Technology, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of creating a UK Government cloud computing system independent from technology multinationals' services.
The Government recognises the importance of a secure and resilient cloud infrastructure for the delivery of digital public services. As set out in the Roadmap for Modern Digital Government (2026), the government is developing a National Cloud Strategy. As part of this, the government will assess how to strengthen the security and resilience of UK cloud infrastructure and improve the cloud ecosystem.
Innovation and Technology, what emergency powers the Government holds to direct private AI developers during a national security incident involving advanced AI systems.
This government is taking a long‑term, science‑led approach to understanding and preparing for emerging AI risks, including the possibility of very rapid progress with transformative impacts on society and national security.Through close collaboration with industry and international allies, the government has deepened its understanding of risks, improved AI model security, and built UK resilience against threats.The Government’s National Security Strategy sets out our intent to build the UK national security agenda for AI and other frontier technologies. This agenda will support the development of the UK's AI-enabled defence and security capabilities.This is complimented by the work of the AI Security Institute (AISI), which focuses on emerging AI risks with serious security implications, including cyber misuse, chemical or biological risks, and autonomous AI capabilities.The Government will remain vigilant and prepare for new AI risks, including rapid advancements that could affect society and national security.
Innovation and Technology, whether he plans to publish an AI Security Strategy.
This government is taking a long‑term, science‑led approach to understanding and preparing for emerging AI risks, including the possibility of very rapid progress with transformative impacts on society and national security.Through close collaboration with industry and international allies, the government has deepened its understanding of risks, improved AI model security, and built UK resilience against threats.The Government’s National Security Strategy sets out our intent to build the UK national security agenda for AI and other frontier technologies. This agenda will support the development of the UK's AI-enabled defence and security capabilities.This is complimented by the work of the AI Security Institute (AISI), which focuses on emerging AI risks with serious security implications, including cyber misuse, chemical or biological risks, and autonomous AI capabilities.The Government will remain vigilant and prepare for new AI risks, including rapid advancements that could affect society and national security.
Innovation and Technology, how her Department defines AI loss of control; and whether that definition is shared across Departments.
AI models have the potential to pose novel risks by behaving in unintended or unforeseen ways. The possibility that this behaviour could lead to loss of control over advanced AI systems is taken seriously by many experts.The AI Security Institute (AISI) is researching the development of AI capabilities that could contribute towards AI’s ability to evade human control, as well the propensity of models to engage in misaligned actions.Furthermore, through the Alignment Project – a funding consortium distributing up to £27m for research projects – AISI is supporting further foundational research into methods to develop AI systems that operate according to our goals, without unintended or harmful behaviours.The Government has been clear that we will legislate on AI where needed but we will do so on the basis of evidence where any serious gaps exist.
Innovation and Technology, what protocols are in place to help ensure rapid information-sharing with AI companies during a national AI emergency.
This government is taking a long‑term, science‑led approach to understanding and preparing for emerging AI risks, including the possibility of very rapid progress with transformative impacts on society and national security.Through close collaboration with industry and international allies, the government has deepened its understanding of risks, improved AI model security, and built UK resilience against threats.The Government’s National Security Strategy sets out our intent to build the UK national security agenda for AI and other frontier technologies. This agenda will support the development of the UK's AI-enabled defence and security capabilities.This is complimented by the work of the AI Security Institute (AISI), which focuses on emerging AI risks with serious security implications, including cyber misuse, chemical or biological risks, and autonomous AI capabilities.The Government will remain vigilant and prepare for new AI risks, including rapid advancements that could affect society and national security.
Innovation and Technology, whether his Department has been designated as the lead department for AI loss-of-control risks.
AI models have the potential to pose novel risks by behaving in unintended or unforeseen ways. The possibility that this behaviour could lead to loss of control over advanced AI systems is taken seriously by many experts.The AI Security Institute (AISI) is researching the development of AI capabilities that could contribute towards AI’s ability to evade human control, as well the propensity of models to engage in misaligned actions.Furthermore, through the Alignment Project – a funding consortium distributing up to £27m for research projects – AISI is supporting further foundational research into methods to develop AI systems that operate according to our goals, without unintended or harmful behaviours.The Government has been clear that we will legislate on AI where needed but we will do so on the basis of evidence where any serious gaps exist.
Innovation and Technology, what mechanisms are in place to coordinate cross-government preparedness for AI loss-of-control scenarios.
AI models have the potential to pose novel risks by behaving in unintended or unforeseen ways. The possibility that this behaviour could lead to loss of control over advanced AI systems is taken seriously by many experts.The AI Security Institute (AISI) is researching the development of AI capabilities that could contribute towards AI’s ability to evade human control, as well the propensity of models to engage in misaligned actions.Furthermore, through the Alignment Project – a funding consortium distributing up to £27m for research projects – AISI is supporting further foundational research into methods to develop AI systems that operate according to our goals, without unintended or harmful behaviours.The Government has been clear that we will legislate on AI where needed but we will do so on the basis of evidence where any serious gaps exist.
Innovation and Technology, what (a) short, (b) medium (c) and long-term actions he is taking to help anticipate and mitigate the potential risks of AI loss-of-control.
AI models have the potential to pose novel risks by behaving in unintended or unforeseen ways. The possibility that this behaviour could lead to loss of control over advanced AI systems is taken seriously by many experts.The AI Security Institute (AISI) is researching the development of AI capabilities that could contribute towards AI’s ability to evade human control, as well the propensity of models to engage in misaligned actions.Furthermore, through the Alignment Project – a funding consortium distributing up to £27m for research projects – AISI is supporting further foundational research into methods to develop AI systems that operate according to our goals, without unintended or harmful behaviours.The Government has been clear that we will legislate on AI where needed but we will do so on the basis of evidence where any serious gaps exist.
Innovation and Technology, whether his Department has undertaken scenario planning exercises for AI loss-of-control events.
AI models have the potential to pose novel risks by behaving in unintended or unforeseen ways. The possibility that this behaviour could lead to loss of control over advanced AI systems is taken seriously by many experts.The AI Security Institute (AISI) is researching the development of AI capabilities that could contribute towards AI’s ability to evade human control, as well the propensity of models to engage in misaligned actions.Furthermore, through the Alignment Project – a funding consortium distributing up to £27m for research projects – AISI is supporting further foundational research into methods to develop AI systems that operate according to our goals, without unintended or harmful behaviours.The Government has been clear that we will legislate on AI where needed but we will do so on the basis of evidence where any serious gaps exist.
Innovation and Technology, whether he will make an assessment of the potential merits of legislative powers of direction over AI developers in the event of a loss-of-control incident.
AI models have the potential to pose novel risks by behaving in unintended or unforeseen ways. The possibility that this behaviour could lead to loss of control over advanced AI systems is taken seriously by many experts.The AI Security Institute (AISI) is researching the development of AI capabilities that could contribute towards AI’s ability to evade human control, as well the propensity of models to engage in misaligned actions.Furthermore, through the Alignment Project – a funding consortium distributing up to £27m for research projects – AISI is supporting further foundational research into methods to develop AI systems that operate according to our goals, without unintended or harmful behaviours.The Government has been clear that we will legislate on AI where needed but we will do so on the basis of evidence where any serious gaps exist.
Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the potential risks associated with advanced AI systems across government.
This government is taking a long‑term, science‑led approach to understanding and preparing for emerging AI risks, including the possibility of very rapid progress with transformative impacts on society and national security.Through close collaboration with industry and international allies, the government has deepened its understanding of risks, improved AI model security, and built UK resilience against threats.The Government’s National Security Strategy sets out our intent to build the UK national security agenda for AI and other frontier technologies. This agenda will support the development of the UK's AI-enabled defence and security capabilities.This is complimented by the work of the AI Security Institute (AISI), which focuses on emerging AI risks with serious security implications, including cyber misuse, chemical or biological risks, and autonomous AI capabilities.The Government will remain vigilant and prepare for new AI risks, including rapid advancements that could affect society and national security.
Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to help improve transparency on departmental responsibility for AI risk.
This government is taking a long‑term, science‑led approach to understanding and preparing for emerging AI risks, including the possibility of very rapid progress with transformative impacts on society and national security.Through close collaboration with industry and international allies, the government has deepened its understanding of risks, improved AI model security, and built UK resilience against threats.The Government’s National Security Strategy sets out our intent to build the UK national security agenda for AI and other frontier technologies. This agenda will support the development of the UK's AI-enabled defence and security capabilities.This is complimented by the work of the AI Security Institute (AISI), which focuses on emerging AI risks with serious security implications, including cyber misuse, chemical or biological risks, and autonomous AI capabilities.The Government will remain vigilant and prepare for new AI risks, including rapid advancements that could affect society and national security.
Innovation and Technology, what role the AI Security Institute plays in national security preparedness for advanced AI systems.
This government is taking a long‑term, science‑led approach to understanding and preparing for emerging AI risks, including the possibility of very rapid progress with transformative impacts on society and national security.Through close collaboration with industry and international allies, the government has deepened its understanding of risks, improved AI model security, and built UK resilience against threats.The Government’s National Security Strategy sets out our intent to build the UK national security agenda for AI and other frontier technologies. This agenda will support the development of the UK's AI-enabled defence and security capabilities.This is complimented by the work of the AI Security Institute (AISI), which focuses on emerging AI risks with serious security implications, including cyber misuse, chemical or biological risks, and autonomous AI capabilities.The Government will remain vigilant and prepare for new AI risks, including rapid advancements that could affect society and national security.
Innovation and Technology, what role the AI Safety Institute plays in national security preparedness for advanced AI systems.
This government is taking a long‑term, science‑led approach to understanding and preparing for emerging AI risks, including the possibility of very rapid progress with transformative impacts on society and national security.Through close collaboration with industry and international allies, the government has deepened its understanding of risks, improved AI model security, and built UK resilience against threats.The Government’s National Security Strategy sets out our intent to build the UK national security agenda for AI and other frontier technologies. This agenda will support the development of the UK's AI-enabled defence and security capabilities.This is complimented by the work of the AI Security Institute (AISI), which focuses on emerging AI risks with serious security implications, including cyber misuse, chemical or biological risks, and autonomous AI capabilities.The Government will remain vigilant and prepare for new AI risks, including rapid advancements that could affect society and national security.
Innovation and Technology, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of current risk modelling for frontier AI systems.
The AI Security Institute was established to deepen our understanding of frontier AI risks.The Institute works with the national security community and government experts to ensure AI technology delivers on its potential for UK growth, while working with companies to assess and manage the potential risks this technology poses.The Institute’s role is also to ensure AI risk evaluation and understanding is more scientifically rigorous and reliable.Advancing the scientific field of AI safety will help the UK ensure it has the best evidence available to navigate the uncertain trajectories that advanced AI could take.
Innovation and Technology, what information her Department holds on the Artificial Intelligence Security Institute assessment of xAI's Grok.
The AI Security Institute collaborates with leading AI developers to measure the capabilities of advanced AI and recommend risk mitigations, to ensure we stay ahead of possible AI impacts.The Government does not give a running commentary on models being tested or which models we have been granted access to due to commercial and security sensitivities.
Innovation and Technology, whether the Artificial Intelligence Security Institute assessed xAI’s Grok for harms prior to launch.
The AI Security Institute regularly test models across leading labs. While we do not provide a running commentary on which models we test due to commercial and security reasons, it actively works with labs to improve safeguards when vulnerabilities have been identified.
Innovation and Technology, whether the Artificial Intelligence Security Institute completed a risk assessment of xAI’s Grok code before it was released to the public.
The AI Security Institute regularly test models across leading labs. While we do not provide a running commentary on which models we test due to commercial and security reasons, it actively works with labs to improve safeguards when vulnerabilities have been identified.
Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to ensure AI tools are safe by design to prevent the creation of child sexual abuse material.
The government is committed to tackling the creation of this atrocious material. Creating, possessing, or distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM), including AI Generated CSAM, is illegal. The Online Safety Act requires services to proactively identify and remove this content.We are taking further action in the Crime and Policing Bill to criminalise CSAM image generators, and to ensure AI developers can directly test for and address vulnerabilities in their models which enable the production of CSAM.The Government is clear: no option is off the table when it comes to protecting the online safety of users in the UK, and we will not hesitate to act where evidence suggests that further action is necessary.