Britain’s Approach to AI Regulation Under New Labour Government
The newly elected Labour government in Britain is exploring how to effectively regulate artificial intelligence models, with plans to establish appropriate legislation to place requirements on those developing the most powerful AI models. However, no specific laws have been proposed yet.
In a speech to open the new session of parliament, King Charles outlined Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s legislative agenda, which includes over 35 new bills covering various topics from housing to cybersecurity.
The government aims to create legislation targeting the development of powerful AI models. The previous Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, had positioned Britain as a leader in AI safety, hosting a summit at Bletchley Park with global leaders and company executives to discuss the issue. Sunak also oversaw the launch of the world’s first AI Safety Institute, which focused on the capabilities of advanced AI models like OpenAI’s ChatGPT.
Nathan Benaich, founding partner of AI-focused investment group Air Street Capital, expressed relief that the government is not rushing to regulate frontier AI models. Under Sunak, the government avoided targeted AI regulation, instead splitting responsibility for AI oversight among various regulators.
Prime Minister Starmer has promised to introduce new AI laws but is taking a cautious approach. Benaich emphasized the UK’s sector-based approach to AI regulation as a competitive advantage compared to the EU, advising caution in any changes to this regime.
However, some AI experts argue that the rapid adoption of AI tools necessitates new legislation. Gaia Marcus, director of the Ada Lovelace Institute, urged the government to bring forward a bill promptly, noting that AI systems are already integrated into daily life, public services, and the economy, presenting both benefits and risks.
The debate over AI regulation continues as the government seeks to balance innovation with safety and public interest.
With inputs from Agency
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