Concerns Grow Over UK's Pace on AI Safety Legislation
Sources say government plans for AI safety law drawn up under Keir Starmer risk stalling as attention shifts to immediate domestic priorities
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.
Sources
- ‘A critical moment’: concern UK is not up to speed in acting on AI risks — The Guardian — Politics
EGazette summarizes reporting from multiple sources; follow the links for the originals.
Related articles
Canadian AI Pioneer Warns of Risks From Unchecked Artificial Intelligence
A Canadian researcher widely referred to as a "godfather of AI" has cautioned that artificial intelligence could pose serious threats if left unregulated, according to a report by Anadolu Agency.
AI industry workers express skepticism about existential risk warnings
Multiple employees at leading AI companies doubt predictions that the technology could pose catastrophic threats to humanity.
Nvidia's Huang Says AI Development Should Advance 'As Fast As We Can'
Nvidia's chief executive said artificial intelligence progress should not be slowed, while stressing that products must remain safe, amid an ongoing industry debate over the pace of frontier AI development.
Nvidia CEO Says There Is '0% Chance' of AI Causing End of the World
Jensen Huang dismissed AI doomsday scenarios, arguing fears spreading across America "make no sense" and may stem from "ulterior reasons"
Trump Announces Plan for ‘AI Force’ and AI Czar Amid Growing Safety Concerns
President offers few details on new oversight plan even as industry figures and his own party urge caution on artificial intelligence
TechCrunch Report Highlights Difficulty of Discerning Fact From Fiction in AI Safety Debates
Two AI safety conversations went viral this week, illustrating how hard it has become to separate credible claims from misinformation, according to a TechCrunch report.
Comments
Loading comments…