UK ministers delay AI regulation amid plans for more ‘comprehensive’ bill | Artificial intelligence (AI)

The regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) has become a pressing issue as UK ministers have decided to delay proposals for at least a year. This comes amid plans to create a more comprehensive bill that aims to address various concerns associated with AI, including safety measures and copyright issues.

Peter Kyle, the newly appointed technology secretary, has stated that his intention is to introduce an expansive AI bill in the next parliamentary session. This move has already raised eyebrows, as it means that there will be no new regulations before the upcoming king’s speech, which is tentatively expected to occur in May 2026. The growing concerns surrounding the regulation of AI technology demand urgent attention, but this postponement may hinder progress.

Initially, Labour had planned to introduce a short bill focused primarily on large language models like ChatGPT soon after taking office. The original proposal aimed to require companies to submit their AI models for evaluation by the UK’s AI Security Institute, primarily as a safety measure to mitigate risks that highly advanced AI models could pose to society.

However, previous delays in this legislative process can be attributed to a desire to align UK regulations with those in the United States, specifically with the Trump administration. The rationale behind this was that aggressive regulation might deter AI companies from choosing the UK as their base of operations. This choice to delay has now transformed into a broader attempt to create an all-encompassing piece of legislation addressing various sections of AI usage.

One of the notable shifts in focus for the forthcoming bill is the inclusion of copyright regulations in the realm of AI. Government sources have indicated that discussions are well underway with creators and tech stakeholders to explore solutions regarding copyright issues within AI frameworks. The intention is to integrate these rules into the AI bill once a separate data bill, currently under consideration, is passed.

However, the government is embroiled in a legislative standoff with the House of Lords concerning copyright amendments in this data bill, which would permit AI companies to train their machines using copyrighted material unless the rights holders explicitly opt out. This proposal has ignited fierce backlash from the creative sector. High-profile artists, including Elton John, Paul McCartney, and Kate Bush, have lent their voices to campaigns opposing such changes, fearing that it could undermine their rights and the value of creative work.

Recently, members of the House of Lords approved an amendment to the data bill that would require AI companies to disclose whether they are using copyrighted material for model training. This was seen as an attempt to reinforce existing copyright laws. However, UK ministers have resisted these calls for increased transparency. Although Peter Kyle has expressed regret over the government’s handling of some of these changes, he insists that the data bill isn’t the appropriate platform for addressing copyright concerns. The government has committed to publishing an economic impact assessment along with a series of technical reports focusing specifically on copyright issues surrounding AI.

The creative community remains deeply unsettled by the government’s stance. Beeban Kidron, a renowned film director and peer in the House of Lords, has vehemently criticized ministers, claiming they have “shafted the creative industries” and endangered the UK’s second-largest industrial sector. This conflict underscores the broader tension between innovation in AI and the protection of intellectual property.

Public sentiment echoes these concerns. A significant majority of the UK populace—88%—believes the government should retain the authority to halt AI products deemed to pose serious risks. Furthermore, over 75% of respondents feel that oversight of AI safety should not rest solely with private companies, indicating a demand for stronger government regulation in this rapidly evolving field.

As discussions continue, there’s a palpable sense of urgency surrounding the need for effective AI regulations. The implications of delaying such legislation are vast, touching upon ethical, legal, and societal dimensions that will shape the future of AI. While the ministers’ strategy of crafting a comprehensive bill may seem prudent, the increasing complexity of AI technologies calls for swift action to ensure public safety and protect the rights of creators.

With AI evolving at a breakneck pace, the UK government now faces the dual challenge of fostering innovation while safeguarding public interest and the rights of intellectual property holders. Consequently, whether the upcoming comprehensive AI bill will adequately address these multifaceted challenges remains to be seen. The stakes are high, and it is essential for both government and industry leaders to act responsibly and collaboratively in the best interests of society.

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