“What We Learned from Briefing 70+ Lawmakers on the Threat from AI” by leticiagarcia
May 28, 2025
The discussion highlights the speaker's experience briefing over 70 UK lawmakers on AI risks. They share effective strategies for engaging an unfamiliar audience and crafting memorable pitches. There's a focus on the gap between public perceptions and the realities of AI, paralleling it with social media's unforeseen consequences. Practical tips for navigating conversations on AI risks are offered, emphasizing honesty and trust-building with policymakers. Additionally, essential literature on political systems is explored, underlining the urgent considerations of AI development.
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insights INSIGHT
Parliamentarians' AI Awareness
Most UK parliamentarians have limited knowledge of AI and AI risk, mostly using basic tools like ChatGPT.
After briefings, about one-third publicly supported targeted AI regulation acknowledging extinction risks.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Effective Outreach Tips
Cold outreach for AI briefings works well; follow up kindly and persistently to get responses.
Always ask for introductions to other interested parliamentarians to expand reach.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Crafting Persuasive AI Risk Arguments
Present AI risks by citing respected experts and leaders to build credibility and emotional connection.
Use polls and media coverage to show public concern; relate AI to other high-risk regulated industries.
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First published in 1936, 'How to Win Friends and Influence People' by Dale Carnegie is a timeless guide to improving interpersonal skills. The book is divided into four main sections: Six Ways to Make People Like You, Twelve Ways to Win People to Your Way of Thinking, and Nine Ways to Change People Without Giving Offense or Arousing Resentment. Carnegie's principles emphasize the importance of genuine interest in others, active listening, and avoiding criticism and argument. The book offers practical advice on how to build strong relationships, communicate effectively, and influence others by aligning their self-interest with yours. It has been a cornerstone of personal development and business success for generations[2][3][5].
How Westminster Works ... and Why It Doesn't
Ian Dunt
Between late 2024 and mid-May 2025, I briefed over 70 cross-party UK parliamentarians. Just over one-third were MPs, a similar share were members of the House of Lords, and just under one-third came from devolved legislatures — the Scottish Parliament, the Senedd, and the Northern Ireland Assembly. I also held eight additional meetings attended exclusively by parliamentary staffers. While I delivered some briefings alone, most were led by two members of our team.
I did this as part of my work as a Policy Advisor with ControlAI, where we aim to build common knowledge of AI risks through clear, honest, and direct engagement with parliamentarians about both the challenges and potential solutions. To succeed at scale in managing AI risk, it is important to continue to build this common knowledge. For this reason, I have decided to share what I have learned over the past few months publicly, in [...]
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