Emma Lewell

Emma Lewell

Labour — South Shields

Speaking in the House of Commons on 13 January 2025

Debate

Developing AI Capacity and Expertise in UK Defence

Contribution

I thank my hon. Friend for his comments and all his help on the Committee. It is a joy to be once again serving on the Defence Committee with him. He is correct to say that AI is moving rapidly, and the MOD needs to harness it quickly, because our adversaries are. We know from open source data that we cannot allow ourselves to be behind the curve on this. SMEs have a particular mindset, as my hon. Friend will know. They are happy to have that “fail first”, experimental mindset that the MOD is often not used to. Our report highlights that significant cultural change and leadership is needed in the MOD to get it to a position where SMEs can work better with it for the benefit of our entire defence AI ecosystem. Bill Presented Rural Crime (Strategy) Bill Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57) Ben Maguire presented a Bill to require the Secretary of State to establish a task force to produce a strategy for tackling rural crime; to require the Secretary of State to implement the strategy; and for connected purposes. Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time Friday 4 July 2025, and to be printed (Bill 158).

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