The U.K. hosted the world’s first AI Safety Summit in November, which aimed to position the country as a leader in artificial intelligence governance. During the event, AI labs committed to sharing their models with governments before public release, and 29 countries pledged to collaborate on mitigating risks from artificial intelligence. The summit was part of the Conservative government’s efforts led by then Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who established the world’s first AI Safety Institute to evaluate potentially dangerous AI capabilities. The U.K. institute received 10 times the funding of its American counterpart.
However, after a landslide loss to the Labour Party, Sunak left office and newly elected Prime Minister Keir Starmer began forming his government. Starmer’s approach to AI has been described as potentially tougher than Sunak’s. He appointed Peter Kyle as science and technology minister, giving him oversight of the U.K.’s AI policy at a crucial moment when governments worldwide are grappling with fostering innovation and regulating AI technology. Kyle expressed the personal importance of unlocking the benefits of AI, citing how advanced medical scans being developed could have potentially helped detect his late mother’s lung cancer before it became fatal.
While AI technology offers significant benefits, the Labour government will also need to address public concerns. An August poll of over 4,000 British citizens conducted by the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation found that 45% of respondents believed AI taking people’s jobs was one of the biggest concerns. This highlights the need for the government to balance the potential benefits of AI with addressing public fears and ensuring that AI technology is developed and regulated in a way that benefits society as a whole.
As the new Labour government navigates AI policy, it will be crucial for them to continue the work started by the Conservative government in positioning the U.K. as a leader in AI governance. Collaborating with other countries and sharing AI models with governments before public release will be essential steps in mitigating risks associated with artificial intelligence. Additionally, ensuring that AI technology is developed in a way that benefits society and addresses public concerns about job displacement will be key priorities for the government moving forward.
Overall, the U.K.’s efforts in AI governance have been significant, with the establishment of the world’s first AI Safety Institute and commitments from AI labs and countries to collaborate on mitigating risks. As the Labour government takes the reins, they will need to continue this work while also addressing public concerns and ensuring that AI technology is developed and regulated in a way that benefits society as a whole. By striking a balance between fostering innovation and addressing ethical concerns, the U.K. can continue to lead the way in AI governance.
