Trained on a massive amount of textual data, large language models are a type of generative AI (artificial intelligence) which can generate various text-based outputs. It’s the technology that underpins contemporary tools such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Bard.

Considering the wide and positive capabilities of large language models, but also the current notable concerns and issues, the Communications and Digital Committee is aiming to examine what needs to happen within the next one to three years to help ensure that the UK can respond to the related opportunities and risks.

The Committee has stated that this will include “evaluating the work of Government and regulators, examining how well this addresses current and future technological capabilities, and reviewing the implications of approaches taken elsewhere in the world.”

While a Bloomberg Intelligence report recently found that the generative AI market is poised to face significant growth, expanding to over £1 trillion in the next ten years compared to just under £32 billion in 2022, issues regarding contradictory or incorrect information, data privacy, and copyright are just some of the reasons behind growing international calls for regulation.

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), for instance, recently said in a blog post that LLMs “contain sonme serious flaws,” including the potential for bias and what’s known as “hallucinations” — a confident response from AI that isn’t justified by its training data. Further, the NCSC noted that a “concern is that an LLM might help someone with malicious intent (but insufficient skills) to create tools they would not otherwise be able to deploy.”

As part of its inquiry, the Committee has put out a call for evidence on LLMs, asking questions such as how LLMs will develop over the next three years, how adequately the UK Government’s AI white paper deals with LLMs, and how the UK’s regulatory approach compares to the likes of other jurisdictions, including the EU, the US, and China.

Speaking on the recently launched investigation, Baroness Stowell of Beeston, the Committee’s Chair, said: “The latest large language models present enormous and unprecedented opportunities. Early indications suggest seismic and exciting changes are ahead.

“But we need to be clear-eyed about the challenges. We have to investigate the risks in detail and work out how best to address them – without stifling innovation in the process. We also need to be clear about who wields power as these models develop and become embedded in daily business and personal lives.

“This thinking needs to happen fast, given the breakneck speed of progress. We mustn’t let the most scary of predictions about the potential future power of AI distract us from understanding and tackling the most pressing concerns early on. Equally we must not jump to conclusions amid the hype.

“Our inquiry will therefore take a sober look at the evidence across the UK and around the world, and set out proposals to the Government and regulators to help ensure the UK can be a leading player in AI development and governance.”

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While taking a balanced approach to the regulation and safeguarding of LLMs and generative AI is important, there is a certain degree of urgency required — not least because LLM-powered AI tools are already well used, whether in a covert capacity or not.

According to a survey covered by Business Insider, 43% of working professionals have used tools such as ChatGPT at work, but 68% of which haven’t told their bosses about using them.