Communications and Digital Committee to open inquiry into large language models with evidence from AI experts

The Committee is looking at large language models and what needs to happen over the next 1–3 years to ensure the UK can respond to their opportunities and risks. Large language models are a form of generative AI which has seen significant advances in capability in recent years, including the development of OpenAI’s GPT-3 and GPT-4 models.

The first evidence session will start at 2:30pm on Tuesday 12 September in Committee Room 4 of the House of Lords. Giving evidence to the Committee will be:

• Ian Hogarth, Chair, Foundation Model Taskforce
• Jean Innes, Incoming CEO, The Alan Turing Institute
• Professor Neil Lawrence, DeepMind Professor of Machine Learning at the University of Cambridge
• Ben Brooks, Head of Public Policy, Stability AI

Issues that will be covered in the session include:

• How large language models differ from other forms of AI and how they are likely to evolve over the next three years.
• The role and structure of the Foundation Model Taskforce, its objectives, priorities, and investment plans.
• The appropriate role for government in responding to the opportunities and risks presented by large language models, the adequacy of government preparedness, and priorities for action.
• The differences between open and closed source language models and the implications of how these are likely to develop.