The UK Government has revealed plans for an artificial intelligence (AI) rulebook to regulate and promote the technology.

The newly published AI paper outlines the Government’s approach to regulating the technology in the UK. Its proposed rules seek to address future risks and opportunities so businesses are clear how they can develop and use AI systems and consumers are confident they are safe and robust.

According to the Government, overlaps, inconsistencies and gaps in current legislation and regulations are making it harder for organisations and the public to have confidence where AI is used. This risks stifling innovation and makes it harder for regulators to protect the public.

The new rulebook aims to create proportionate and adaptable regulation so that AI continues to be rapidly adopted in the UK to boost productivity and growth.

It lays out six core principles that developers and users will need to consider, moving forward. These include:

• Ensuring that AI is used safely
• Ensuring that AI is technically secure, and functions as designed
• Making sure that AI is appropriately transparent and explainable
• Consider fairness
• Identifying a legal person to be responsible for AI
• Clarifying routes to redress or contestability

In addition, regulators – such as Ofcom, the Competition and Markets Authority, the Information Commissioner’s Office, the Financial Conduct Authority and the Medicine and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency – will be asked to interpret and implement the principles.

Under the Government’s proposals, different regulators will be asked to take a tailored approach in the use of AI in a range of settings instead of relying on a central body.

They will be encouraged to consider lighter touch options which could include guidance and voluntary measures or creating sandboxes – such as a trial environment where businesses can check the safety and reliability of AI tech before introducing it to market.

Industry experts, academics and civil society organisations focusing on this technology are being asked to share their views on putting this approach into practice through a call for evidence.

Digital Minister Damian Collins said: “We want to make sure the UK has the right rules to empower businesses and protect people as AI and the use of data keeps changing the ways we live and work.

“It is vital that our rules offer clarity to businesses, confidence to investors and boost public trust. Our flexible approach will help us shape the future of AI and cement our global position as a science and tech superpower.”

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According to Government statistics, UK AI firms attracted $4.65 billion of investment in 2021. Research this year predicted more than 1.3 million UK businesses will be using AI and investing over £200 billion in the technology by 2040.

Last year, the UK revealed its AI Strategy, an ambitious plan to turn the country into an “AI superpower”.

Among its goals, are using the technology to improve the lives of the country’s people by solving challenges facing the world, such as climate change and public health.

The new rulebook comes as the UK Government introduces the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill to Parliament. The legislation aims to transform the UK’s data laws to boost innovation in technologies such as AI.

Through the new legislation, businesses will be able to share information about how they test their AI’s reliability as well as following guidance set by UK regulators to ensure AI is safe and avoids unfair bias.

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