Local MSP to Lead Debate in Scottish Parliament on Dangers of Artificial Intelligence

SNP MSP for the Highlands and Islands Emma Roddick will today (29th of October) lead a Members’ debate in the Scottish Parliament on recognising the potential dangers caused by artificial intelligence.   

AI technology is rapidly gaining traction in Scotland, the UK and across the world – with the latest statistics showing that 37% of people in the UK have now used AI at work.

However, as some high-profile stories have shown, the rapid proliferation of AI is fraught with potential issues – including issues around data protection, sexual exploitation, and disinformation.

The MSP is expected to use the debate to call for regulation of the rapidly developing AI sector, which the EU is leading on, and AI model developers like OpenAI are also calling for.

As the MSP for the Highlands and Islands, Ms. Roddick has stressed the relevance of AI regulation to her own constituency, where a substantial number of people work remotely, stating that if AI technology is being used in her constituents’ workplace, then its use must be made safer by regulation.   

Commenting, SNP MSP Emma Roddick said:   

“Artificial Intelligence is rapidly changing the way that we live and work, and like the internet before it, it’s important that we create a framework of regulation around AI that protects people, their data, and their privacy.  

“I brought this members’ debate to the Scottish Parliament today to bring attention to the issues surrounding the use of AI.

“Many people are not yet fully aware of what AI is, what it’s capable of, or the potential risk it poses – of profiling, sexual exploitation, disinformation, and loss of jobs.  

“The first step is defining what is an unacceptable use of AI in law, and the European Union is leading the way on this with its Artificial Intelligence Act – the first comprehensive legal framework on AI in the world.

“Even AI model creators like OpenAI, who made ChatGPT, are calling for regulation, and I urge the UK Government to follow the EU’s example.   

“As MSPs, it’s our duty to be aware of the potential dangers of AI and do what we can to mitigate those dangers.”