"Today's Autumn Budget adds some detail to the
government's stated intentions to enable a thriving, innovative
tech sector."
"Recent legislation including the Digital Information and
Smart Data Bill and Data Use and Access Bill demonstrate the
government's commitment to setting in place a strong regulatory
framework for data and for Open Banking – even without
specific EU-style AI regulation."
"The government's proposed Artificial Intelligence
Opportunities Action Plan could be a key step in unlocking AI's
potential for growth and productivity, although the full details
are yet to be finalised. The Action Plan will apparently consider
how the UK can:
• Build a scaleable and competitive AI sector
• Adopt AI to enhance growth and productivity, and support
Government delivery
• Use AI in government to 'transform citizens'
experiences of interacting with the state'
• Strengthen the enablers of AI adoption, such as data,
infrastructure, and regulatory reforms
"While it wasn't mentioned in today's Budget, this
initiative is expected to be complemented by an AI bill to be
introduced later this year, which is likely to focus on the most
advanced models and make existing voluntary agreements between
companies and the government legally binding. The bill, which may
have its first reading by year's end, is expected to zero in on
foundation models like those underlying ChatGPT, and support the
UK's AI Safety Institute in shaping the gold standard for AI
deployment. Developing AI responsibly has quickly become a global
issue, and any legislation must avoid complex local rules that will
eventually become obsolete as the technology progresses.
Additionally, many companies are navigating a patchwork of AI
regulations from region to region, and the UK's bill should aim
to minimise potential regulatory conflicts wherever
possible."
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