Part of the debate – in the House of Lords at 3:45 pm on 3 February 2026.
Lord Ranger of Northwood
Conservative
3:45,
3 February 2026
My Lords, I have always welcomed the approach the Government have taken to regulation in the AI space, particularly a proportionate approach, considering where we are in the development of AI businesses and technologies—in a global battle. With regard to artificial general intelligence —the singularity—it must be stated that most experts predict this to happen between 2040 and 2045, if at all. But right here, right now, the UK is in a global battle, particularly the SMEs that are developing businesses in AI here, creating jobs and investing. I appreciate that it has now been a year since the Government produced their AI opportunities action plan, but can the Minister please advise the House what has been done to help the UK AI SME industry to win government contracts? The concern I hear— I declare an interest as a co-founder of the Business AI Alliance, with over 200 UK AI SME members—is that these companies cannot get the contracts the Government are putting out.
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