UK Government’s Commitment to Artificial Intelligence Legislation Remains Tentative
The UK’s new Labour government had been rumored to introduce a dedicated artificial intelligence (AI) bill, but the recently unveiled legislative program did not include concrete plans for such legislation. Instead, the government expressed its intention to establish appropriate rules and requirements for developers working on the most powerful AI models. This lack of commitment to an AI bill contrasts with the European Union (EU), which has already adopted a risk-based framework for regulating AI applications. The UK may monitor the implementation and impact of the EU AI Act before drafting its own legislation.
Prioritizing the Development and Safe Use of AI
The Labour Party’s election manifesto emphasized the importance of ensuring the safe development and use of AI models. It proposed introducing binding regulations on companies working with the most powerful AI models and banning sexually explicit deepfakes. The government’s legislative plan also highlighted its desire to leverage data for economic growth and create a National Data Library to support data-driven public services. This focus on harnessing AI’s power for wealth creation aligns with the goals of the previous Conservative administration.
AI’s Role in Strengthening Safety Frameworks
The King’s Speech mentioned harnessing the power of AI to strengthen safety frameworks, likely referring to the government’s plan to introduce a Product Safety and Metrology bill. This legislation aims to update product rules to address new risks and technological advancements, including AI. However, the EU is ahead in this area, as its lawmakers have been working on adapting product liability rules to encompass risks associated with software and AI since 2022.
Addressing Regulatory Challenges and Cybersecurity
The Labour manifesto acknowledged that regulators are ill-equipped to handle rapid technological advancements and committed to creating a Regulatory Innovation Office to address this issue. The UK’s legislative plan includes a Digital Information and Smart Data bill, which appears to be a rehashing of provisions from a previous data reform bill. The bill aims to allow scientists and legitimate researchers to request broad consent for data use in research, reform the Information Commissioner’s Office to modernize it, and support the creation of secure digital identity products and services. Additionally, the government plans to encourage smart data schemes, facilitate secure data sharing through authorized third-party providers, and prioritize cybersecurity and resilience with a dedicated bill. The Cyber Security and Resilience bill will strengthen protections for public services and increase incident reporting to improve the government’s understanding of cyber threats.
In conclusion, while the UK government has yet to commit to a dedicated AI bill, it is exploring various avenues to promote the safe development and use of AI, leverage data for economic growth, address regulatory challenges, and enhance cybersecurity. The EU’s progress in AI regulation may serve as a valuable reference for the UK as it formulates its own legislation in the future.