MPs have warned AI will disrupt jobs as they urged ministers to tackle the technology’s potential threats to national security and perpetuation of “unacceptable” societal biases.

Prospect union called for clearer rules to help workers in a new digital age after the science, innovation and technology committee concluded the technology presents “many risks to long-established and cherished rights.”

Committee chairman Greg Clark said: “Artificial intelligence is already transforming the way we live our lives and seems certain to undergo explosive growth in its impact on our society and economy.

“AI is full of opportunities, but also contains many important risks to long-established and cherished rights — ranging from personal privacy to national security — that people will expect policymakers to guard against.”

Among the 12 major challenges outlined in the report were employment — that AI will disrupt jobs; AI introducing or perpetuating “unacceptable” societal biases; allowing people to be identified or sharing personal information; and misrepresentation — the generation of material by AI that “deliberately misrepresents someone’s behaviour, opinions or character.”

Other challenges were around access to data and computational power, transparency, intellectual property and copyright, and liability over harm caused by third parties.

The committee also warned some people think AI is a “major threat” to human life and governance must provide protections for national security and that legislation must be presented to Parliament during its next session.

Prospect deputy general secretary Andrew Pakes said: “This new report makes clear that AI will disrupt how we are managed and work, with significant challenges unless government shows leadership in the transition to a new digital economy.

“The UK risks missing out on the benefits of cutting-edge technology unless it provides clearer rules to help workers navigate change, including on reskilling and employment protections in a new digital age.

“If the government wants the AI Summit to be a success it needs to ensure all voices are at the table, including civic society and unions alongside business.”

Tech industry expert Claire Trachet said an equal amount of investment must go into both stimulating innovation and mitigating privacy concerns.

A government spokesperson said: “AI has enormous potential to change every aspect of our lives, and we owe it to our children and our grandchildren to harness that potential safely and responsibly.”