The UK government recently published its first white paper on artificial intelligence, which outlines the government’s approach to innovation and highlights the ways in which AI will play a vital role in driving growth across the country.
This white paper was created in collaboration with industry experts, academics and other stakeholders. It aims to build on the UK’s existing strengths in AI and establish the country as a global leader in the nascent field.
The UK government’s approach to AI is based on five core principles: safety, security and robustness, transparency and explainability, fairness, accountability and governance, and contestability and redress.
Prioritising safety, fairness and accountability
One key focus of the white paper is the importance of safety. The government recognises that accountability is essential to the development of AI and has committed to trusting a select number of existing AI regulators including the Health and Safety Executive, Equality and Human Rights Commission and Competition and Markets Authority – to come up with tailored, context-specific approaches that suit the way AI is actually being used in their sectors.
Over the next 12 months, these regulators will issue practical guidance to organisations, as well as other tools and resources like risk assessment templates, to set out how to implement these principles in their sectors.
This white paper also emphasises the importance of security and fairness in AI use. The government is committed to ensuring that the benefits of AI are shared by everyone in society and that the technology is developed in a way that is fair and secure.
One step to achieving this involves launching a new £2 million sandbox trial environment where businesses can test how regulation could be applied to AI products and services, to support innovators bringing new ideas to market without.
Lila Ibrahim, COO and UK AI council member, DeepMind, said, “AI has the potential to advance science and benefit humanity in numerous ways, from combating climate change to better understanding and treating diseases. This transformative technology can only reach its full potential if it is trusted, which requires public and private partnership in the spirit of pioneering responsibly.”
A worldwide collective effort towards AI use
Another key element of the white paper is the importance of international collaboration. The government recognises that AI is a global challenge and that the UK must work closely with other countries to drive innovation and share best practices.
Clare Barclay, CEO of Microsoft UK said, “AI is the technology that will define the coming decades with the potential to supercharge economies, create new industries and amplify human ingenuity. If the UK is to succeed and lead in the age of intelligence, then it is critical to create an environment that fosters innovation, whilst ensuring an ethical and responsible approach.”
Ultimately, the white paper represents a bold vision for the future of AI in the UK. The government’s approach to innovation aims to help to drive growth and productivity across the country while ensuring that AI is developed in an ethical and accountable way that benefits everyone in society.
Isa Muhammad is a writer and video game journalist covering many aspects of entertainment media including the film industry. He's steadily writing his way to the sharp end of journalism and enjoys staying informed. If he's not reading, playing video games or catching up on his favourite TV series, then he's probably writing about them.
