The King’s Speech set out the new UK Government’s legislative agenda today, with some interesting insights on its approach to AI, data protection and product safety.
The full briefing document is here; I also had the pleasure of listening to the Institute for Government's live webinar for their immediate feedback.
On AI, the speech seemed to shift from a manifesto commitment to legislate to a more cautious approach: “[The Government] will seek to establish the appropriate legislation to place requirements on those working to develop the most powerful artificial intelligence models.”
Of the 40 Bills mentioned in the speech, two caught my attention:
Digital Information and Smart Data Bill (p40 of briefing pack)
A reference to reforming "some data laws" without further detail is perhaps the most interesting (and concerning) aspect.
The Bill will include:
“...targeted reforms to some data laws that will maintain high standards of protection but where there is currently a lack of clarity impeding the safe development and deployment of some new technologies”
Reform of the ICO to having a CEO, board and chair (similar to the proposal in the abandoned DPDI Bill), with "new, stronger powers"
Digital Verification Services: "secure and trusted digital identity products and services from certified providers to help with things like moving house, pre-employment checks, and buying age restricted goods and services"
Smart Data Schemes: "the secure sharing of a customer’s data upon their request, with authorised third-party providers"
Measures to "promote standards for digital identities around privacy, security and inclusion"
Product Safety and Metrology Bill (p38 of briefing pack)
The IfG's Jill Rutter commented that the Bill's emphasis on aligning with the #EU and reference to the Windsor Framework marked a turning point in UK policy.
Given the EU's product safety approach to regulating AI, it is interesting that this Bill appears to contain the only explicit proposal for AI regulation in the speech.
The Bill will include:
“responding to new product risks and opportunities to enable the UK to keep pace with technological advances, such as AI”
“identifying new and emerging business models in the supply chain, ensuring the responsibilities of those involved in the supply of products, such as online marketplaces, are clear”
“enabling improvements to compliance and enforcement reflecting the challenges of modern, digital borders"
The briefing pack lacks detail on AI regulation and data protection reform, but certainly signals an intention to tackle these areas in future legislation. Whether the government will have time and capacity to implement major changes alongside such a packed legislative agenda remains to be seen.
There are certainly interesting times ahead for the regulation of AI, product safety and data protection in the UK…