https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/jt5902/jtselect/jtrights/160/report.html
This is a Joint Committee report, with recommendations to government. The Government has two months to respond.
Fourth Report of Session 2026–27
Joint Committee on Human Rights
Human Rights and the Regulation of AI
Date Published: Monday 14 September 2026
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Contents
- — Summary
- — Introduction
- — 1 What is artificial intelligence?
- — 2 Human rights issues raised by AI
- — 3 Legal and policy framework
- — 4 Problems with existing protections
- — 5 How risks to human rights should be addressed
- — Conclusions and recommendations
- — Formal minutes
- — Witnesses
- — Published written evidence
- — List of Reports from the Committee during the current Parliament
Summary
Artificial Intelligence systems are being used by businesses, individuals and public authorities in ways that affect every aspect of people’s lives in the UK. The technology is developing at a pace that means governments, and human rights protections, risk being left behind. Our report sets out why this is a problem and what must be done to tackle it.
AI systems can also bring real human rights benefits, and have the potential to create economic growth. The approach of the UK government to AI has been to focus on the growth benefits, although it has also taken important steps to reduce some risks, especially around national security.
However, we heard clear evidence that AI presents novel and serious human rights risks. AI systems are opaque, so that it is not clear why they have produced the results they generate—the so-called “black box”. People are also often not aware that AI is being used in a way that affects them and their rights. These factors further increase the likelihood of harm. Because of the scale and speed of AI use, when these harms occur, they may happen at a huge scale and very quickly.
These risks are particularly acute for groups that are already minoritised, such as Black and Minority Ethnic people. We focus on the real damage AI systems may do to people’s rights to equality and non-discrimination, to privacy and data protection, and to the right to an effective remedy when people are harmed. The government must act to protect these fundamental rights.
We heard about the human rights impact of AI used to create deepfake sexualised images of women and girls; to profile prisoners in ways which disproportionately affect Black and Minority Ethnic people; to flag up workers for disciplinary action without reasonable cause; and to scan and recognise people’s faces in public places without their consent. Many more uses are being created as technology develops.
There are many laws and regulations that may already apply to some AI systems, but overall the legal landscape is patchy and confused. There are many regulators who are charged with tackling some AI harms, but no single body co-ordinates regulation of AI. This leaves gaps which mean people will be affected by AI harms, but will not be able to get redress.
There is also far too much freedom for the large and powerful technology companies who develop AI systems to pass on liability to those who deploy them. These deployers are often less powerful, have less access to resources, and are not in the best position to identify risks or prevent harm occurring. The law does not target those who actually create and shape the systems. Responsibility to prevent harm should sit with those who are best able to do so.
We call on the government to take immediate action. It must bring in a dedicated AI Bill, and set up a new regulator, to create tailored, effective protection for human rights in the UK. The most dangerous uses of AI should be banned, and others should be regulated in a principled and risk-based way, with strong sanctions for companies and organisations who damage human rights through their use of AI systems. None of this need compromise the use of AI to help generate economic growth, where it can be done safely. As one witness told us, “The only growth worth having is one that protects human rights.”
Introduction....
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