Tory MP reads out AI-generated speech in Commons ‘first’

20 December 2022, 18:44

ChatGPT
Screen with ChatGPT chat with AI or artificial intelligence. Man search for information using artificial intelligence chatbot developed by OpenAI. Picture: PA

Luke Evans, the MP for Bosworth, told the Commons: ‘I think this may be a first’ as he shared a speech created by ChatGPT.

A Conservative MP has read out a parliamentary speech generated by artificial intelligence (AI) as he called for a regulator for algorithms.

Luke Evans, the MP for Bosworth, told the Commons: “I think this may be a first” as he shared a speech compiled by AI programme which had been given the command to write a Churchillian speech on the state of the UK over the last 12 months.

Intervening, Labour’s Kevin Brennan (Cardiff West) asked: “Did he write that himself or was it written by artificial intelligence?”

I think we're missing a trick here because I believe there should be a regulator for algorithms and artificial intelligence to run concurrently and in synergy with the technology that we're developing

Luke Evans, MP

Dr Evans replied: “(He) has generally pointed out exactly the point that I’m alluding to, for this speech would have been one you may well have heard in a House but it was actually put together by ChatGPT (Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer) an artificial intelligence run by OpenAI.”

Speaking on the issue on the final day before MPs adjourn for Christmas, he added: “This year there has been a seismic change in the way in which AI can be used.

“Now AI and algorithms are going to have huge impacts on the labour market, diagnosis, tools, education, society and it needs a far wider debate than today.”

Dr Evans added: “But I think we’re missing a trick here because I believe there should be a regulator for algorithms and artificial intelligence to run concurrently and in synergy with the technology that we’re developing.”

I think in this instance we are all going to have to face up to the fact that we may not be the first members who have used AI to deliver speeches. Someone might have done it already and not fessed up to the House

Kevin Brennan MP

He finished his speech with an AI-generated rhyming Christmas poem about the Houses of Parliament, including a mention of the Speaker.

Mr Brennan later said a large chunk of his speech was also written using an AI programme.

He joked: “I think in this instance we are all going to have to face up to the fact that we may not be the first members who have used AI to deliver speeches.

“Someone might have done it already and not fessed up to the House. So let’s bear that in mind for a moment… because in reality this technology is with us now and is very real and it has very many positive potential implications.”

Responding to Dr Evans’ poem, the Cardiff West MP added: “The one bit of relief I did have in hearing his speech was the poem that came at the end was not exactly William Wordsworth, but this technology will clearly get better as it develops and it is developing very rapidly.

“Let’s make sure we don’t allow ourselves to all become slaves to the algorithm.”

By Press Association

More Technology News

See more More Technology News

A child’s hand pressing a key of a laptop keyboard

Charity ‘appalled’ at reports online safety laws could be cut for US trade deal

School children during a Year 5 class at a primary school

Education Secretary: More men needed in classrooms to be positive role models

Games controller

Cult classic Shenmue named most influential game of all time in Bafta poll

Alliance MP Sorcha Eastwood (PA)

Parents crying out for online regulation, MP Eastwood says

TikTok is set to be banned in the United States later this week unless a buyer emerges.

Amazon makes last-minute bid to buy TikTok as deadline looms

Nintendo Switch 2

Everything you need to know about the Nintendo Switch 2

The Nintendo Switch 2 will release on June 5, 2025

Nintendo Switch 2: Exciting reveal, but why is it more expensive here?

A Nintendo Switch 2

Nintendo confirms Switch 2 will launch on June 5

Tesla dealership damage

Tesla sales tumble to weakest since 2022 amid Musk backlash

The Nintendo Switch 2

Nintendo reveals release date for long-awaited Switch 2 console

Roblox has introduced a slew of new safety features.

Gaming platform Roblox adds slew of safety fixtures for parents to monitor their children’s accounts

Meta's decision to change its content policies was heavily criticised by online safety experts (PA)

Majority oppose Meta’s rollback of safety rules, charity says

A child's hands pressing laptop keys

Regulation and technology can help combat spread of online misogyny, expert says

Raspberry Pi 4 micro computer

Raspberry Pi profits tumble after supply shortages

An RNLI lifeboat brings a group of people thought to be migrants into Dover

UK to work with allies and social media to tackle people smuggling adverts

A child using an Apple iPhone smartphone

School curriculum resources to teach children about risks of in-game purchases