{
  "id": 15206945,
  "title": "The power of AI is worrying senior Labour figures – as is the fear of ‘falling behind the public’",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/the-power-of-ai-is-worrying-senior-labour-figures-as-is-the-fear-of-15206945",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-10-17T11:33:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Guardian Business",
    "slug": "guardian-business",
    "url": "https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/oct/17/artificial-intelligence-ai-labour-government-safety-uk-extremism"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Senior Labour figures are increasingly concerned about the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and its potential dangers, alongside worries over the cost of living and fragile economy. Cabinet ministers and activists are being haunted by the idea of a super-intelligent, concentrated AI ending up in the hands of bad actors. Labour conference saw a shift in focus as Labour's new leader, Andy Burnham, brought AI safety to the forefront of discussions.\n\nLabour's AI minister, Kanishka Narayan, expressed concerns that rogue agents would likely hack the British state, and urged for stronger cybersecurity legislation. MI5 chief, Ken McCallum, warned that AI was \"supercharging the cybersecurity contest between attackers and defenders\", with extremist groups posing the greatest threat by unleashing bioweapons. Labour's Business, Innovation, Science and Trade Committee held evidence sessions with leaders in AI security and executives from top AI companies, who debated whether government testing of new models should be mandatory.\n\nEd Miliband made a strong case during his conference speech, emphasizing the need to balance the profits of tech companies with the well-being of children and humanity. The last week of events in Westminster has demonstrated a growing alarm over the potential threats of AI, with the government now taking these warnings more seriously. Labour's focus on AI safety could help set a precedent for international cooperation, particularly in the lead-up to the UK's upcoming G20 presidency.",
  "summary": "Westminster appears to be waking up to warnings over AI safety, with concerns over its use by extremist groups and bad actors “I have this sense that, within a few months, AI is going to be all anyone is talking about,” said one cabinet minister, with an ominous stare. It was Labour conference, with everyone from ministers to activists jubilant at Andy Burnham’s takeover and a bounce in the polls…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Guardian Technology",
        "title": "The power of AI is worrying senior Labour figures – as is the fear of ‘falling behind the public’",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/the-power-of-ai-is-worrying-senior-labour-figures-as-is-the-fear-of",
        "published": "2026-10-17T11:33:20.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}