British government pledges to regulate powerful AI models

The UK government’s new legislative agenda includes proposed rules for powerful AI models, with experts divided on the urgency of implementing new regulations

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In a recent speech, King Charles outlined the legislative agenda for the newly elected Labour government, including more than 35 new bills on various topics such as housing and cybersecurity measures.

One notable proposal is the creation of rules to develop “the most powerful models for artificial intelligence.”

The current government is building on previous efforts to position the United Kingdom as a leader in AI security.

Last November, former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak hosted a summit at Bletchley Park to discuss the topic and launched the world’s first AI security institute. The institute focused on the capabilities of “groundbreaking” AI models, such as those behind OpenAI’s highly successful ChatGPT chatbot.

Experts call for urgent action

The previous government had taken a sector-based approach to regulating AI, with multiple regulators scrutinizing the technology. Now the new Labor government is taking a more cautious approach.

According to Nathan Benaich, founding partner of Air Street Capital, “AI labs will collectively breathe a sigh of relief over the government’s decision not to rush into borderline regulation.” This approach is to avoid introducing targeted AI regulations and instead focus on rolling out new laws cautiously.

However, some AI experts argue that the rapid rollout of AI tools in the past 18 months only makes the need for new legislation more urgent.

Gaia Marcus, director of the Ada Lovelace Institute, stresses the importance of coming up with a bill as soon as possible.

“These systems are already being integrated into our daily lives, public services and the economy, bringing benefits and opportunities, but also a range of risks to people and society,” she said.

Clearly, a cautious approach is needed if the British government is going to regulate AI models.

While some see this as an opportunity for the United Kingdom to emerge as a leader in AI regulation, others see the need for urgent action to mitigate the risks of these powerful technologies.

Read More: AI UK