UK Parliament Considers Shutting Down Data Centres in AI Emergencies

In the UK House of Commons Report stage, MP Alex Sobel's NC12 amendment has been tabled, and it currently stands at No decision.

The amendment would give the Secretary of State last-resort powers to shut down a data centre, or the AI systems used or deployed within it, in the event of an AI security or operational emergency.

The trigger condition is when there are reasonable grounds to believe that an AI system is causing a security or operational compromise to relevant networks or information systems, and that this would result in catastrophic risk.

Catastrophic risk means:

• Large-scale disruption to critical infrastructure or essential services
• Significant degradation of the UK's national security, defence, or intelligence capabilities
• Mass loss of human life

The Secretary of State must report to Parliament within 7 days of issuing an order, and must ensure that a debate is held in both Houses.

Data centre operators would be required to have technical infrastructure to respond to shutdowns, secure communication channels, regular emergency drills, and post-incident review and mitigation measures before resuming operations.

Breach of these duties would constitute a criminal offence, and government actions could be challenged for relief in the High Court.

The Secretary of State must report every 6 months on the causes and potential causes of AI security or operational emergencies, including adversarial AI, the cyberattack capabilities of autonomous AI, and the possibility of superintelligent AI.