Concerns Grow Over UK's Pace on AI Safety Legislation

The UK government's efforts to draw up new artificial intelligence safety legislation may be losing momentum, according to concerns raised by people familiar with the plans and reported by The Guardian.

Towards the end of Keir Starmer's time in office, senior ministers alarmed by rapid developments in AI technology began drawing up plans for a new AI safety law, according to those briefed on the discussions. As part of that process, officials ordered a review of existing legislation to determine what powers the government already possessed to regulate the sector.

The review reportedly explored whether ministers could compel the world's most advanced technology companies to submit their AI products for safety testing before bringing them to market, according to the same sources.

The report describes concern that focus on immediate domestic problems, attributed to Andy Burnham, has led some to fear that the AI safety issue has slipped off the government's radar at what is described as "a critical moment" for regulating the technology.

The Guardian's report does not detail further specifics of the proposed legislation or confirm whether the plans remain active within government. The Guardian has been approached for further comment on the current status of the proposals.