In an anticipated move towards more stringent regulation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies, the UK government has announced the introduction of an AI Bill in the King's Speech.
This legislation marks a significant departure from the previous administration's flexible, principle-based framework, aiming instead for binding regulations that ensure the responsible use of AI.
Simon Morris, Vice President of Solution Consulting at ServiceNow, emphasised the transformative potential of AI, stating, "As we enter an era where technology could amplify the potential of human beings to unprecedented levels, ensuring trust and responsibility within AI has never been more important." He added that to deal with problems such as bias and to ensure AI delivers real value, the approach needs to be human-centric. AI systems, Morris notes, should be inclusive, transparent, and accountable, designed to work alongside humans rather than replace them.
Jennifer Belissent, Principal Data Strategist at Snowflake, echoed similar sentiments on the necessity of practical AI regulation. She pointed out, "We cannot stop the development of AI because we know it will then go underground, but equally, we cannot and must not have unregulated AI." Belissent highlighted the importance of internal organisational governance alongside external regulation, noting that fine-grained access and usage policies are essential for ensuring data security and responsible AI utilisation.
Greg Hanson, Group Vice President of EMEA North at Informatica, commented on the anticipated regulatory shift. "It's a sign there will be a shift away from flexible, principle-based frameworks, towards binding regulation that mandates the responsible use of AI," said Hanson. He stressed the importance of businesses demonstrating how they are protecting the integrity of AI systems and large language models. Hanson also underscored the need for transparency with the data used to train AI models and understanding the decisions these models make.
Arun Kumar, UK Regional Director at ManageEngine, views AI as a turning point for AI regulation in the UK, providing necessary guidance on prioritising trust and safety. "This bill promises to go a long way in helping to tackle the risks that come from a lack of specialised knowledge around this relatively new technology," Kumar remarked. He further explained that legislation regarding safety and control mechanisms would help businesses confidently use AI to drive growth while mitigating associated risks.
From an investment perspective, Ekaterina Almasque, General Partner at OpenOcean, considered the potential impact on tech startups, "The government must tread lightly on the lives of UK tech startups. The previous government's 'light touch' approach had its merits, avoiding wrapping its own startups in a regulatory straitjacket." However, Almasque acknowledged the importance of aligning with international AI regulations to promote interoperability and provide a clear regulatory framework, which could in turn encourage investment.
Bill Wilson, Chief Sustainability Officer and Head of Data & Intelligence Solutions at NTT DATA UK&I, highlighted the benefits of the proposed AI regulation. He noted, "Regulation promotes best practices and a level playing field. Primary legislation has the potential to address the issues that citizens are most concerned about regarding AI while simultaneously building confidence in its legitimate and benign uses." Wilson warned that overly protective measures could hinder the UK's competitiveness, and he emphasised the need for a balanced approach that supports innovation while ensuring responsible AI use.
As the UK government sets to introduce the AI Bill, the discourse among industry experts suggests a mix of cautious optimism and strong advocacy for balanced, human-centric regulation. The forthcoming legislative framework aims to bolster public trust and safety, promote investment stability, and encourage the responsible development and deployment of AI technologies across various sectors.
