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Halt super-intelligent AI with non-proliferation treaty, Ed Davey to say
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Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey will urge the establishment of a global, nuclear-style non-proliferation treaty to halt the development of super-intelligent AI in a keynote speech at his party's conference. He is set to argue that such a treaty is necessary because the future of AI is currently being decided by a small number of the wealthiest individuals in California and Beijing without adequate safeguards. Davey will draw a direct parallel to the nuclear arms race, warning that unchecked super-intelligent AI poses an existential threat to humanity.
In his address in Brighton, Davey is expected to propose a new international AI safety agency modeled on the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), with its headquarters based in the UK. This proposal comes amid repeated warnings from AI researchers that artificial intelligence could potentially eliminate humanity within a decade. He will emphasize that nations previously collaborated to control nuclear technology and must now unite to manage AI's risks.
Davey will criticize the current approach of leaving AI development to tech leaders like Mark Zuckerberg, Sam Altman, and Elon Musk, asserting that existential threats cannot be entrusted to a powerful few. His comments follow Prime Minister Keir Starmer's announcement of a new AI partnership with the United States. Davey plans to argue that this bilateral agreement is insufficient and could increase dependency on the U.S. administration, which he claims is influenced by "tech bros."
The speech forms part of a broader tech policy platform from the Liberal Democrats. Earlier in the conference, the party's home affairs spokesperson, Max Wilkinson, announced proposals for a significant levy on big tech companies. The party also pledged to establish a new online crime agency to tackle issues such as child sexual abuse material, drug trafficking, and deepfake pornographic images, alongside calls to regulate smart glasses privacy concerns.
Davey's proposals arrive as he seeks to counter criticism that his party lacks a clear vision. He defended his approach, stating he does not wish to compete with populist "noise" but instead offers well-considered policies. The Liberal Democrat conference has also featured cost-of-living pledges, including a temporary cut to fuel duty and reduced bus fares, which Davey says would be financed through economic growth linked to seeking re-entry to the EU single market.
Looking ahead, the Liberal Democrats aim to position themselves as the party offering rigorous international cooperation and robust domestic regulation on emerging technologies. By championing a global treaty and an IAEA-style body, Davey is attempting to frame AI safety as a central political issue requiring collective, multilateral governance rather than private-sector stewardship.
