UK rejects 'emergency kill switch' for AI

The British government, led by Prime Minister Andy Burnham, has rejected proposals for an "emergency kill switch" to address a potential attack by an out-of-control artificial intelligence system. The Cabinet Office stated the UK "cannot simply switch off AI," opposing calls for a "last resort authority" empowered to halt autonomous AI models in emergencies. A government spokesperson argued that blocking access domestically would not stop development or misuse elsewhere, emphasizing companies bear responsibility for safe development and security investment. The spokesperson added that the upcoming Cyber Security and Resilience Bill will strengthen UK cyber defenses and raise security standards for essential public and digital services, including data centers.