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Last month, the UK’s new Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, introduced the Government plans for the upcoming parliamentary term through the King’s speech. Then, he mentioned that the Government “will harness the power of artificial intelligence as we look to strengthen safety frameworks”.
However, in a surprising turn of events, the recent King’s speech, outlining the new UK government’s legislative agenda under Prime Minister Keir Starmer, didn’t mention the regulation of artificial intelligence (AI).
Starmer’s Approach to AI
It was widely expected that AI legislation would be introduced with the recent King’s Speech, but it didn’t get much of a mention. All that was said was that “The government will seek to establish the appropriate legislation to place requirements on those working to develop the most powerful artificial intelligence models.”
Keir Starmer, on the other hand, who led the Labour Party to victory in the 2024 general election, has consistently expressed interest in AI. During the campaign, Starmer emphasized the need for the UK to become a world leader in AI.
The Labour Party’s 2024 manifesto indicated an intention to implement specific AI regulations, targeting companies that work with the most powerful AI models. Moreover, the Labour Government plans to establish a Regulatory Innovation Office to assist in updating the AI regulation, as well as commit to long-term funding for AI research and development.
The lack of immediate legislative action after the King’s speech however has led to question the Government’s commitment to these promises. This has sparked reactions from industry experts and analysts..
For example, Kriti Sharma, Chief Product Officer, Legal Tech at Thomson Reuters and founder of AI for Good UK, told Euronews Next that “in order for the UK to continue to be an AI leader, it would need to be more focused on reskilling and upskilling current and future generations, such as the promotion of STEM education, and inclusivity”.
Gaia Marcus, director of the Ada Lovelace Institute, urged the government to introduce a bill as soon as possible. She said, “These systems are already being integrated into our daily lives, our public services and our economy, bringing benefits and opportunity, but also posing a range of risks to people and society.”
Potential Impact on UK Industries
Many UK businesses have embraced AI, from retail, to cybersecurity and even the gambling industry and some of the best online bingo sites, where AI powered chatbots and security systems are commonplace.
AI-powered chatbots provide instant customer support so that players can receive help at any time, while advanced security systems use AI to ensure fair play. Additionally, UK gambling companies and bingo sites use AI algorithms to provide personalised offers and games to individual players.
In the retail sector, for example, companies like Tesco and Marks & Spencer have been at the forefront of AI adoption.
Tesco uses AI for inventory management, while M&S implement AI-powered visual search technologies that help customers find similar items by uploading images. When it comes to cybersecurity, businesses like Darktrace use AI to detect threat react immediately. Their AI systems can identify and respond to cyber threats in real-time, often before human analysts can even detect them.
As Keir Starmer’s government settles into power, the approach to AI regulation remains a work in progress. The absence of immediate legislation suggest that they’re still working on it. With the rapid increase of AI in various UK businesses, it’s expected that the UK Government will strike the balance between fostering AI innovation and ensuring responsible development.
—TechRound does not recommend or endorse any financial, investment or gambling advice or practices. All articles are purely informational—
