A cross-party group of UK MPs and peers has urgently called for new legislation to address the significant human rights risks posed by artificial intelligence (AI), arguing that current laws are insufficient to cope with the technology's rapid advancement and complexity.

The Joint Committee on Human Rights (JCHR) published a comprehensive report highlighting that the scale and seriousness of AI-driven threats necessitate a dedicated bill. The committee's chair, Alex Sobel MP, stated that no country, including the UK, currently possesses a legislative and regulatory framework fit for purpose concerning AI.

The report details how AI has already been linked to numerous human rights abuses. Examples cited include the creation of non-consensual sexualised images of women and girls, and the scanning of individuals' faces without their permission. Concerns also exist about AI systems exhibiting biases against certain groups due to training data scraped from the internet, which can contain discriminatory material, and the potential for AI to be used for widespread misinformation campaigns.

The JCHR advocates for the establishment of a single, independent AI oversight body, operating on a statutory basis, to navigate the fragmented and often difficult-to-understand current legal landscape. This new AI Bill should categorize AI systems by risk level, imposing more stringent obligations on higher-risk technologies and ensuring accountability across the entire AI lifecycle, from design to deployment.

Some AI applications, deemed incompatible with human rights, should be outright prohibited. Potential areas for such bans include subliminal techniques and the inappropriate use of profiling or biometric data. The committee emphasized that AI represents an unprecedented technological leap with the potential for profound societal change, but acknowledged a current unpreparedness to manage its potentially dire consequences.

The committee's findings come amidst a backdrop of growing global unease regarding AI's trajectory. This sentiment was echoed by Dario Amodei, head of AI company Anthropic, who recently proposed a plan for global and industry-wide regulation, coupled with independent monitoring of AI models. Amodei also suggested slowing the pace of AI development, a view shared by prominent figures in the field, including Sam Altman of OpenAI and Elon Musk.

AI researcher Jacob Coxon, who recently departed Anthropic, also shared concerns, telling the BBC that many staff developing these systems are genuinely apprehensive about the future of humanity. The JCHR's 12 members are drawn from both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, representing the Labour, Conservative, and Liberal Democrat parties, underscoring the cross-party consensus on the issue.

BBC News is seeking comment from the UK government regarding the committee's call for a dedicated AI bill. The report's publication adds further weight to ongoing discussions about how best to govern and mitigate the risks associated with rapidly evolving AI technologies.