The inquiry

1.The world is facing an inflection point in its approach to artificial intelligence (AI). Rapid advances in large language models (LLMs) have generated extensive discussion about the future of technology and society. Some believe the developments are over-hyped. Others worry we are building machines that will one day far outstrip our comprehension and, ultimately, control.

2.This enquiry was launched to examine likely trajectories for LLMs over the next three years and the actions required to ensure the UK can respond to opportunities and risks in time. We focused on LLMs as a comparatively contained case study of the issues associated with generative AI. The focus was on what is different about this technology and sought to build on rather than recap the extensive literature on AI.

3.Evidence was taken from 41 expert witnesses, reviewed over 900 pages of written evidence, held roundtables with small and medium sized businesses hosted by the software firm Intuit, and visited Google and UCL Business. This was assisted by a specialist adviser Professor Michael Wooldridge, Professor of Computer Science at the University of Oxford.