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UK Government Prioritizes Cautious Approach to AI Regulation in New Legislative Agenda

By  |  July 17, 2024

The UK’s newly-elected Labour government has announced plans to explore effective regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) models, but has not yet proposed any specific laws. 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 ranging from housing to cybersecurity measures, according to Reuters.

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    Among the new initiatives, the government aims to establish appropriate legislation for those developing the most powerful AI models. This move signals a continuation of Britain’s strategic focus on AI, following the efforts of the previous Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, who positioned the UK as a leader in AI safety. Last November, Sunak hosted a summit at Bletchley Park, bringing together global leaders and company executives to discuss AI regulation. Under his leadership, the UK also launched the world’s first AI Safety Institute, which has focused on the capabilities of frontier AI models, such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT.

    Read more: New Report Says AI Regulations Lag Behind Industry Advances

    Nathan Benaich, founding partner of AI-focused investment group Air Street Capital, noted that AI labs are likely relieved by the government’s decision not to hastily introduce regulation for frontier models. During Sunak’s tenure, the government avoided targeted AI regulations, instead distributing oversight responsibilities among various regulators.

    Starmer has promised to introduce new AI laws, but his administration is adopting a cautious approach. “The UK’s cautious, sector-based approach to AI regulation remains a crucial competitive advantage versus the EU, and any moves to change this regime should only be taken with the utmost caution,” Benaich commented.

    Source: Reuters