Humanists UK urges government to adopt human-centred AI principles

Humanists UK has urged the UK government to place human dignity, democratic oversight and human flourishing at the centre of AI governance.

The call followed a House of Lords debate on the impact of AI on human relationships and society, during which peers discussed the ethical, social and regulatory challenges raised by rapidly advancing AI systems.

Humanists UK pointed out to the government the Luxembourg Declaration on Artificial Intelligence and Human Values, adopted by Humanists International in 2025. The declaration argues that AI should support human judgement, the common good, democratic governance, transparency, autonomy and protection from harm.

Lord Michael Cashman, a patron of Humanists UK and member of the All-Party Parliamentary Humanist Group, urged the government not to ‘reinvent the wheel’ and said the declaration already sets out principles relevant to AI governance.

Liberal Democrat peer Lord Clement-Jones said the debate showed a convergence of values across different traditions, including the need for democratic oversight, transparency and safeguards to ensure AI serves human beings rather than replacing them.

Responding for the government, Digital Economy Minister Baroness Lloyd of Effra said AI is already changing the economy, public services and human relationships. She said the government’s responsibility is to ensure that the transformation strengthens rather than diminishes the fabric of society.

Humanists UK said it has written to Baroness Lloyd and shared a copy of the Luxembourg Declaration.

Why does it matter?

The story reflects the growing role of civil society, religious groups and ethical movements in AI governance debates. While it does not signal a new UK policy, it shows how discussions on AI safety are broadening beyond technical risk to include human dignity, democratic accountability, transparency, autonomy and the public interest. Such value-based frameworks may influence how governments frame future AI regulation, assurance and safeguards.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!