Chatham House’s Digital Society Programme and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK hosted a three-day workshop on AI in Security on 28-30 January at the UK parliament. The event discussed pressing security topics relating to artificial intelligence and saw 30 parliamentarians from 15 legislatures across the Commonwealth and Crown Dependencies take part.
UK politicians such as Dawn Bulter, Feryal Clark and Chi Onwurah joined interactive sessions and panel discussions examining how artificial intelligence capabilities can be an opportunity as well as a challenge for security and democratic processes.
On day one, Lord Kamall led a discussion with Alex Krasodomski, director of the Digital Society Programme, on the rapidly changing landscape of AI governance, highlighting how the management of data for training AI models will become an increasingly important element for leveraging power.
Other sessions explored AI-enabled disinformation, military and defence application of AI, and international law mechanisms for responsible AI use.
Teanau Tuiono, Member of the New Zealand Parliament, said:
‘I found this event valuable in helping to understand AI’s impact on security and defence. It also helped us to share common concerns across our different countries, highlighting the need for collaboration to address the growing power imbalance between nation-states, tech companies, and the negative impacts on democracy.‘
Connétable Mike Jackson from State Assembly in Jersey said:
‘The workshop enlightened me to the potential advantages and risks when using AI in government administration. I look forward to putting it to constructive use in the areas I’m responsible for in Jersey.’
Chatham House will continue to convene spaces for policymakers to engage in peer-to-peer learning and networking, and we thank CPA UK for providing parliamentarians with access to expert information as well as the comparative knowledge to apply within their own contexts.