UK Government Under Pressure to Enact AI Regulation as Other Countries Forge Ahead
The UK government is facing mounting pressure to take action on AI regulation as other countries surge ahead in implementing laws to govern the rapidly evolving technology. Questions were raised in the House of Commons regarding the absence of AI legislation in the government’s recent King’s Speech, which took place a week after the AI safety summit reached an agreement on the need for both governments and tech companies to ensure safety testing of powerful frontier AI models.
Responding to the concerns, Science Secretary Ms Donelan affirmed that the government plans to introduce new AI regulation in the future. However, she also emphasized the need for a cautious approach, stating that ministers would not be rushed into hastily crafting legislation even though other major players like the EU and the USA have already taken steps in this direction.
This cautious attitude has sparked fears that the UK could fall behind international competitors, especially since it is unlikely that a new law will be passed before the upcoming general election. Conservative former business secretary Greg Clark expressed concerns about the potential consequences of this delay, while shadow science minister Matt Rodda urged the government to take swift action in regulating AI within the UK.
Rodda highlighted the confusion caused by Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s contradictory statements regarding the dangers of AI to the country’s way of life, juxtaposed with a lack of urgency in implementing regulation. He pointed out that the US and other nations have already introduced mandatory safety and security regulations for AI, placing the UK at a disadvantage.
In response, Ms Donelan argued that there is already existing regulation in place, citing the presence of multiple regulators and the principles outlined in the government’s White Paper released earlier this year. She emphasized the importance of the recent agreement on pre-deployment testing of AI models, stating that it marked the beginning of a process rather than the end. Ms Donelan also highlighted the fact that waiting to draft a new piece of legislation would have taken too long, as the next generation of AI models is set to be released within six months.
Clark questioned why the government’s new law, outlined in the March White Paper, did not feature in the latest legislative agenda. He expressed concern that other jurisdictions would pre-empt the UK in setting the rules for AI if the government fails to swiftly respond. Ms Donelan reiterated the government’s position, affirming the need to properly understand the risks associated with AI before legislating. She added that while legislation would be necessary eventually, they must take the time to ensure the right solutions match the emerging challenges. Nonetheless, she recognized that there is still much that can be done without legislation and highlighted the collective action taken last week by bringing together experts from around the world.
As the UK government faces mounting pressure to address AI regulation, concerns are growing that the nation may fall behind global competitors. While plans for new legislation have been affirmed, critics argue that the government’s cautious approach may hinder progress in a rapidly evolving field. As the debate continues, the UK will need to strike a balance between ensuring public safety and fostering innovation in the AI sector.
