Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey is set to use his keynote speech at the party’s conference in Brighton to advocate for a global moratorium on the development of super-intelligent artificial intelligence. Drawing a direct parallel to nuclear arms control, Davey will propose an international non-proliferation treaty to manage the risks associated with advanced AI systems. He contends that without global cooperation and strict oversight, the rapid advancement of this technology could lead to catastrophic outcomes, characterizing the current state of development as an uncontrolled arms race.

In his upcoming address, Davey is expected to criticize the current political discourse surrounding AI regulation. Specifically, he plans to target Andy Burnham, suggesting that the current approach relies too heavily on the influence of Donald Trump and a group he refers to as “tech bros.” Davey argues that these figures are ill-equipped to address the profound societal and existential risks posed by super-intelligent systems. By framing the issue as a matter of global security, Davey intends to position the Liberal Democrats as a party focused on proactive, internationalist solutions to emerging technological threats. The proposal aims to establish a framework that would mandate a pause on certain types of AI research, ensuring that development does not outpace the ability of governments to implement safety protocols. While the specific mechanisms of such a treaty remain to be detailed, the proposal signals a shift toward treating AI development as a high-stakes geopolitical issue rather than merely a commercial or industrial concern.