UK proposal for a new AI rulebook - Insights for organisations

The UK government published its proposals (the AI Paper) on the future regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) on 18 July 2022, taking a pro-innovation, light-touch and markedly less centralised approach than the EU’s draft AI Act.

Long awaited, this is an important document that will help businesses prepare for the incoming regulation of AI in the UK. This update analyses the key points from the AI Paper for organisations (the full text is available here).

Background to the proposals

• The government’s pro-innovation approach will leverage existing regulatory frameworks and powers, asking regulators to develop targeted guidance and voluntary measures relevant to their domain.
• Implementation will be focused on the use of AI rather than on the technology itself and will be based on a set of cross-sectoral principles addressing the unique features of AI, including on fairness, explainability, and accountability.
• Although implementation will be largely delegated to regulators, the government will oversee the process to ensure that regulation is based on an assessment of real risks, coherent across regulators, and proportionate.
• The government’s proposals, based on continuity and flexibility, stand in stark contrast to the expansive and relatively rigid regime proposed in the EU. While UK firms will be relieved at this less onerous approach, multinationals will have to contend with further divergence in AI regulation at the international level.
• The government asks firms for their views on the AI Paper to feed into its White Paper to be published later this year. Please contact us if you would like assistance preparing your response. Responses are due by 26 September 2022.