Industry leaders react to King's Speech on tech & cybersecurity
The recent King's Speech has sparked a wave of reactions from several industry leaders, touching on key areas such as connectivity, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence (AI).
As the new Labour government begins its term, these sectors appear central to their legislative agenda, prompting expert commentary on what these initiatives could mean for the future of the UK's digital and technological landscape.
Jarlath Finnegan, Group CEO of All Points Fibre, welcomed the government's commitment to boosting productivity and growth. Finnegan highlighted the importance of connectivity in this endeavour, emphasising the role fibre broadband can play in accelerating the digital economy. "The new government's commitment to boosting productivity and growth is welcome, and connectivity should be at the heart of that plan," Finnegan said. He advocated for changes in planning and tenant rights to facilitate the expansion of broadband infrastructure. "There are changes the government could make in planning and tenants' rights that would make it easier to build and install broadband to millions more people. We hope they'll seize the opportunity to use fibre in accelerating the digital economy to fulfil the country's potential," he added.
Carla Baker, Senior Director of Government Affairs for UK & Ireland at Palo Alto Networks, commented on the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill proposed in the speech. Baker expressed approval of the government's focus on enhancing cybersecurity, particularly in light of recent high-profile attacks on critical sectors such as the NHS and defence. "We welcome the UK Government's renewed focus on cybersecurity and acknowledgment of the vital role it plays in driving economic growth and building resilience among critical sectors of society," Baker remarked. She stressed the need for a balanced approach in the legislation to avoid overburdening organisations with prescriptive requirements. "If we are to achieve sustained economic growth in the UK, organisations cannot be burdened with overly prescriptive requirements. The government must take a coordinated approach to developing policy interventions that protect critical sectors of society and drive economic growth," she stated.
Amanda Brock, CEO of OpenUK, provided insights on the government's AI Bill, which aims to regulate powerful AI models. Brock urged the government to strike a balance between regulation and innovation. "Our Labour government is well-advised to tread carefully with its AI Bill capturing those who empower the most powerful AI, ensuring not to close market opportunities or limit UK innovation," she said. Brock emphasised the importance of openness in AI to foster trust and prevent misuse. "For innovation to prevail, AI must be open. Clear structure for understanding partially and fully open AI and understanding the consequences of each is key," she noted. She also warned against replicating the EU's AI Act, which she deemed potentially overly prescriptive, thus stifling innovation. "There are lessons the UK can learn from the EU's AI Act that will likely prove to be an overly prescriptive and unwieldy cautionary tale of regulatory capture with only the largest companies able to comply, stifling innovation in the EU," Brock cautioned.
The King's Speech has laid out a vision for a digitally advanced and secure UK, but the reactions indicate that the path ahead is nuanced and requires careful consideration of the implications of new regulations. The government's ability to collaborate with industry leaders and strike the right balance will be crucial in realising the potential of the UK's digital and technological sectors. As these initiatives take shape, the feedback from industry experts will be instrumental in guiding a legislative framework that promotes innovation while ensuring robust protections for critical infrastructure and the broader economy.
