As artificial intelligence is fast-evolving, a British regulator is set to investigate the increasing use of AI tools like ChatGPT, to determine if users require protection against the nascent technology.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) will evaluate competition and consumer safety concerns for firms that are using emerging tools capable of generating responses to inquiries, writing essays and posing a threat to people’s jobs.
CMA’s chief executive Sarah Cardell said, “It’s crucial that the potential benefits of this transformative technology are readily accessible to UK businesses and consumers while people remain protected from issues like false or misleading information.”
Despite years of ongoing AI research, the recent surge in popularity of generative tools like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Midjourney has prompted governments to seek ways of regulating the rapid growth and unforeseen consequences that could arise.
Finding a balance
In an attempt to protect users from bad actors, regulators across the world are striving for ways to balance the use of AI by creating guardrails without hindering or becoming a form of impediment to innovation.
Rather than establishing a new organisation dedicated solely to AI regulation, the UK government intends to divide the responsibility of overseeing AI among its current regulators for human rights, health and safety, and competition.
In front of the Science, Innovation, and Technology Committee on Wednesday, ex-UK chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance asserted that AI’s potential impact on jobs may rival that of the industrial revolution.
The CMA says it will study how AI affects competition and consumer protection, as these crucial issues are currently under scrutiny by regulators and governments.
It has also established a deadline of June 2nd for the submission of opinions and evidence and intends to release its findings in September.
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.
