More than 70 MPs and peers ask Burnham to support ban on superintelligence
single source · 1 articles · policy · confidence: high · first seen 2026-09-11 16:54 UTC
More than 70 MPs and peers have asked Prime Minister Andy Burnham to support a Commons bill banning artificial superintelligence (ASI), an as-yet-nonexistent AI that would outperform humans in most domains, and to lead an international push to stop it. Fifteen former ministers, ex-civil service head Robin Butler and MPs from Labour, the Conservatives, Lib Dems and SNP signed. The move follows warnings including an Anthropic employee's claim that such technology could wipe out humans.
What this means for you
No immediate action for most. The bill would ban a system that does not yet exist. If you work in UK AI policy, watch whether Burnham backs it; that signals whether the government will pursue international restrictions on frontier AI.
Key facts
- ·More than 70 MPs and peers signed the letter to Prime Minister Andy Burnham. source
- ·The bill, tabled in the Commons on Tuesday, would prohibit artificial superintelligence (ASI). source
- ·Fifteen former government ministers and former civil service head Robin Butler are among the signatories. source
- ·The letter asks Burnham to lead an international movement to stop ASI. source
- ·The letter follows an Anthropic employee's claim that such technology could wipe out humans. source
What the sources say
- The Guardian — Reports the letter and its signatories, the bill's content, and the warnings that prompted it.
Sources
The original reporting. Follow these — they did the work.
- The Guardian AIUK lawmakers urge Burnham to back ban on superintelligent AI after chilling warnings2026-09-11