Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, when she plans to establish a formal regulatory framework for Artificial Intelligence; and whether she plans to bring forward legislative proposals on this issue.

In March, we published the AI Regulation White Paper, which set out a regulatory framework to drive responsible, safe AI innovation. The White Paper set out five core principles to govern AI, and committed to establishing mechanisms to monitor AI risk, and coordinate, evaluate and adapt the regulatory framework as the technology evolves.

Since publishing the White Paper, we have taken rapid steps to implement our approach. We have established a central AI risk function in DSIT which will ensure that we can identify, measure and monitor existing and emerging AI risks. We are also engaging closely with regulators across the UK and their sponsoring government departments to understand their readiness to regulate AI effectively, across technical, regulatory, and market-specific expertise. Many regulators have already taken proactive steps to account for the impact of AI within their sectors – for example, the CMA has published its initial review of AI Foundation Models.

In the White Paper, we said that we do not intend to introduce new legislation at this stage. However, this is a fast-moving technology, and we will take action to mitigate risks and support safe and responsible AI innovation as required. We committed to an agile regulatory framework, and are monitoring current and emerging risks as AI evolves. As we have done throughout, we will develop our approach through engagement with industry and civil society, maintaining a pro-innovation approach that means AI improves the lives of the British people.

The consultation on the White Paper closed in June. During the consultation period, we heard from over 400 individuals and organisations across regulators, industry, academia, and civil society. We committed to an iterative approach that will evolve as new risks or regulatory gaps emerge. We will be setting out our next steps in our response to the White Paper consultation shortly.