White paper outlines government’s AI guidance

A white paper has been launched outlining the government’s guidance around the use of AI in an innovative and responsible way. 

The paper uses five principles to guide its advice including safety, transparency, fairness, accountability, and contestability with organisations and individuals now invited to provide feedback.

Innovation and Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan described the need to ensure the public can trust businesses with their use of the technology, she said: ‘AI has the potential to make Britain a smarter, healthier and happier place to live and work. 

‘Artificial intelligence is no longer the stuff of science fiction, and the pace of AI development is staggering, so we need to have rules to make sure it is developed safely.’ 

An announcement on the white paper stated that it was part of a government aim to avoid ‘heavy-handed legislation’ and to empower existing regulators to monitor practices instead of designating a single regulator. 

Those regulators will include the Health and Safety Executive, the Equality and Human Rights Commission, and the Competition and Markets Authority. 

Guidelines outlined in the white paper also point to existing laws such as the Equality Act 2010 and UK GDPR which should guide use of AI. 

Sue Daley, the Director for Tech and Innovation at techUK welcomed the guidance, she said: ‘techUK stands ready to work alongside government and regulators to ensure that the benefits of this powerful technology are felt across both society and the economy.’ 

‘The government must now prioritise building the necessary regulatory capacity, expertise, and coordination.’ She added. 

A consultation for people and organisations to share their opinion on the paper is now open until June 21, you can also read the full policy paper here. 

AI has been one of the government’s leading points of investment and policy focus, especially since the creation of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, with the sector seeing funding under the Chancellor’s most recent budget as well as the creation of an annual prize. 

Photo by Hitesh Choudhary