Science & Technology Archives

In Focus

House of Lords Science and Technology Committee report: Impact of noise and light pollution on human health

Wednesday, 01 May, 2024

In July 2023 the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee published a report into the impact of noise and light pollution on human health. It found that while there is some evidence that both noise and light pollution are harmful to humans, there are significant gaps in research and understanding. This briefing looks at the definitions of noise and light pollution, current legislation and guidelines, and the committee’s report and subsequent government response.
In Focus

UN standards on the use of surveillance technology at protests

Thursday, 18 April, 2024

The UN recently published a toolkit for law enforcement officials to promote and protect human rights in the context of peaceful protests. It includes key principles for the use of digital technologies in relation to protests. This comes at a time when there are debates around the use of live facial recognition technology in public spaces by police in England and Wales. The government supports developing it as a crime-fighting tool, but others are concerned about its impact on privacy and other rights.
In Focus

AI in Weapon Systems Committee report: Proceed with caution

Wednesday, 10 April, 2024

A House of Lords special inquiry committee has recommended that the government proceeds with caution on the development and use of artificial intelligence in weapon systems. This includes adopting an operational definition for autonomous weapon systems and ensuring human control at all stages of such systems’ lifecycle. The government has committed to ensuring meaningful human control and accountability throughout the lifecycle of AI-enabled military systems, but not to adopting an operational definition.
Current Affairs Digest

Current Affairs Digest: Science (April 2024)

Thursday, 04 April, 2024

A breakthrough in gene editing has brought hope of a pain-free life to thousands with sickle cell disease and beta-thalassaemia. But will it reach the people who need it most? This briefing looks at the literature on patient experiences, barriers to global access and potential UK rollout.
In Focus

Horticultural Sector Committee report: ‘Sowing the seeds: A blooming English horticultural sector’

Wednesday, 27 March, 2024

In a report published in November 2023 the House of Lords Horticultural Sector Committee highlighted the importance of the horticultural sector to the UK. The report detailed impacts of the sector on the economy, food supply, wellbeing and net zero ambitions. However, it said the industry faced a number of challenges and was not being given the attention or support it deserved. The committee’s report listed 93 recommendations for the government to help the sector meet these challenges and realise its potential.
Research Briefing

Artificial Intelligence (Regulation) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 11 of 2023–24

Monday, 18 March, 2024

The Artificial Intelligence (Regulation) Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill proposed by Lord Holmes of Richmond (Conservative), which would introduce a new body, the AI Authority, which would have various functions designed to help address AI regulation in the UK. It would also put regulatory principles for artificial intelligence into law.
- Research Briefing
- Science & Technology
In Focus

Digital exclusion in the UK: Communications and Digital Committee report

Tuesday, 30 January, 2024

In 2023, the House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee published a report on digital exclusion in which it called for the government to devise a new strategy and create a dedicated unit to address the issue. The committee argued the government’s approach lacked ambition. The government has said the issue is a priority and has established a dedicated ministerial group.
Research Briefing

Data Protection and Digital Information Bill: HL Bill 30 of 2023–24

Wednesday, 13 December, 2023

The Data Protection and Digital Information Bill would amend existing data protection legislation and introduce new provisions in areas such as digital verification services and smart data. The bill was carried over from the last session and is due to have its second reading in the House of Lords on 19 December 2023.
In Focus

Educational technology: Digital innovation and AI in schools

Monday, 20 November, 2023

The usage of educational technology in UK schools is already growing and likely to increase significantly in coming years, particularly as a result of the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. Many commentators suggest that these technologies present significant opportunities but also substantial risks. This briefing examines these issues ahead of a forthcoming debate in the House of Lords.
In Focus

King’s Speech 2023: Science, innovation and technology

Wednesday, 01 November, 2023

This briefing considers legislation that may be announced in the King’s Speech on 7 November 2023 relating to science, innovation and technology. For example, the government has said that it does not initially intend to introduce legislation regulating artificial intelligence but is continuing to look at the area.
Current Affairs Digest

Current Affairs Digest: Science—part 2 (October 2023)

Tuesday, 24 October, 2023

Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) are changing medical diagnostics. Trained on vast datasets of images and research, AI tools are designed to interpret scans, refine images for clinical review and map anatomy ahead of treatment. AI has the potential to save clinician time, costs and workload. This briefing presents a range of studies on applications, accuracy and challenges.
Current Affairs Digest

Current Affairs Digest: Science—part 1 (October 2023)

Thursday, 12 October, 2023

Anti-ageing, personalised cancer cures and robotic dosing implants: artificial intelligence is making headlines for its breakthroughs in the pharmaceutical world. But how close are they to being part of everyday medicine? And what are the risks of AI drug discovery?
- Current Affairs Digest
- Science & Technology
In Focus

Covid-19 Committee report: ‘Beyond digital: Planning for a hybrid world’

Thursday, 17 August, 2023

In 2020 and 2021 the House of Lords Covid-19 Committee conducted an inquiry into the long-term impact of people living more of their lives online as a result of the pandemic. This article summarises the committee’s findings and the government’s response to its report ahead of a House of Lords debate on the report.
In Focus

Artificial intelligence: Development, risks and regulation

Tuesday, 18 July, 2023

Artificial intelligence (AI) is developing at a rapid pace. From generative language models like ChatGPT to advances in medical screening technology, policymakers and the developers of the technology alike believe that it could deliver fundamental change across almost every area of our lives. But such change is not without risk. Debate is ongoing on how best to regulate these innovative technologies and differences of approach have already emerged internationally as countries across the world examine how best to adapt.
- In Focus
- Science & Technology
In Focus

Charging ahead? Future of the UK car industry

Monday, 03 July, 2023

In recent years, concerns have been raised about the state of the UK’s car industry. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), which represents car manufacturers in the UK, has reported that manufacturing decreased every year from 2016 to 2022. In addition, various companies have announced UK plant closures or capacity reductions. Concerns have also focused on the future of the industry. This article considers the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) and examines one of the main challenges to this: the domestic production of batteries for EVs.

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