MPs are pushing for an AI “kill switch” that would allow ministers to shut down data centres.
Campaigners are seeking new laws that would give the Government powers to switch off AI systems in the event of a “catastrophic risk”.
A proposed amendment to the cyber security and resilience bill has the backing of 11 MPs, and is part of a campaign from Control AI, a group calling for strict AI regulations.
The plans have not been endorsed by the Government, but demonstrate growing concerns AI among MPs.
Donald Trump has recently expressed support for a kill switch.
The amendment, proposed by Alex Sobel, a Labour MP, would give the Technology Secretary “last-resort powers” to direct the shutdown of data centres or the AI systems housed in them “in the event of an AI security or operational emergency”.
The powers would come into force if there is a “catastrophic risk” to critical infrastructure, national security or “severe, large-scale harm to human life”.
Data-centre operators would have to install infrastructure allowing them to be shut down instantly and establish secure communications to the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology to enable ministers to act.
Currently, most AI models are housed in data centres in the US.
Supporters of the amendment include George Freeman, a Conservative former science minister who has called for AI deepfakes to be outlawed ; Samantha Niblett, a Labour member of the science, innovation and technology committee; and Sir Desmond Swayne, a Tory former international development minister.
Concerns AI’s capabilities have increased in recent weeks after Anthropic unveiled a new system called Mythos that it said was too dangerous to release to the public owing to its ability to find critical security flaws in computer systems.
Mr Sobel said: “This is not only a paradigm shift for cybersecurity, but for the national security risks that AI poses for our critical infrastructure. And the UK is nowhere near ready to respond.
“Co-ordinated cyberattacks on our critical infrastructure pose a serious threat, and superintelligent AI operating beyond human control could rival a nuclear strike in the harm it inflicts. The gap between these threats and our preparedness is untenable.”
Control AI, a group backed by Jann Tallinn, the Skype founder, said last year more than 100 parliamentarians had supported its campaign for more AI regulations. Amendments can be debated in the Commons if selected by the Speaker.
Mr Trump recently told Fox News that there should be government powers to shut down AI. The White House has signalled a less hands-off approach to AI since the arrival of Mythos.
Dario Amodei, the Anthropic chief executive, is expected to meet a group of 50 top European chief executives week at a two-day forum to AI adoption across the private sector.
The gathering comes as businesses clamour for access to Mythos.
Anthropic has launched a programme called Project Glasswing, to the AI with select technology giants and banks so they can improve their cybersecurity.
However, so far British businesses have been left out of the scheme after the White House blocked Anthropic from expanding access to Mythos because of officials’ security concerns.
Anthropic’s Claude AI bot has proved a hit with businesses, with the AI tool proving adept at coding tasks. Companies have been unleashing armies of AI “agents” to act as always-on digital workers, powered by Claude. These agents have been billed as digital co-workers for the finance sector, law firms, and consulting giants.
Mr Amodei is understood to be joining a gathering of business leaders at the Grade II-listed Estelle Manor, a private country club in Oxfordshire. Rishi Sunak, the former prime minister and an advisor to Anthropic, is among the attendees.
The luxury country club, which has been frequented by Kim Kardashian and Lewis Hamilton, features 3,000 acres of parkland, a Roman-style spa, and offers activities such as falconry and padel.
Anthropic is one of the world’s best-funded AI labs. It emerged this week that Anthropic was in talks to raise a further $30bn at a rumoured $900bn valuation. It raised $30bn just three months ago in its attempt to challenge OpenAI’s ChatGPT.
A government spokesman said: “Our cyber security and resilience bill will boost UK cyber defences and improve the cyber security of our essential public and digital services that we all rely on, including data centres.”
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