The Guardian reports concern that the UK has lost momentum on tackling artificial intelligence risks, saying plans drawn up under Keir Starmer's government for an AI safety law appear to have stalled.
Key facts
- Towards the end of Keir Starmer's time in office, senior ministers began drawing up plans for a new AI safety law, according to the Guardian.
- Ministers ordered a review of existing legislation to establish what powers they already had, the Guardian reported.
- Officials explored whether they could require leading technology companies to submit products for safety testing before launch, according to the Guardian.
- The Guardian reports that Andy Burnham's focus on immediate domestic problems has led some to fear the issue has dropped off the government's radar.
Concerns are growing that the UK is not moving fast enough to address the risks posed by artificial intelligence, according to a report by the Guardian. The outlet describes the current period as “a critical moment” in which some observers worry the issue has slipped down the government’s list of priorities.
Towards the end of Keir Starmer’s time in office, his senior ministers became alarmed by the latest developments in artificial intelligence and began drawing up plans for a new AI safety law, according to those briefed on the plans and cited by the Guardian.
As part of that work, ministers ordered a review of existing legislation to determine what powers they already had, the Guardian reported. The review was intended to clarify how far the government could act using its current legal framework.
Officials were also exploring whether they could require the world’s most advanced technology companies to submit their products for safety testing before launching them, according to the report. Such a requirement would represent a significant step in regulating how new AI systems reach the public.
According to the Guardian, Andy Burnham’s focus on immediate domestic problems has led some to fear that the AI issue has dropped off the government’s radar. The report frames this shift in attention as central to concerns that the UK may not be keeping pace with the risks it once sought to confront.
It is not yet clear whether the earlier plans for an AI safety law will be revived. The Guardian’s report highlights a tension between pressing day-to-day political demands and the longer-term challenge of governing rapidly advancing technology.
Why it matters
Artificial intelligence is developing quickly, and decisions about how to regulate it will shape safety, competition and public trust for years to come. If the UK loses momentum on AI safety, it could fall behind other governments in setting the rules for how powerful new systems are tested and released.
Frequently asked questions
What AI safety plans were being developed in the UK?
According to the Guardian, senior ministers towards the end of Keir Starmer's time in office began drawing up plans for a new AI safety law, ordered a review of existing legislation, and explored whether they could require major technology companies to submit products for safety testing before launch.
Why do some fear the UK has slowed down on AI?
The Guardian reports that Andy Burnham's focus on immediate domestic problems has led some to fear the AI issue has dropped off the government's radar.
What would safety testing of AI products involve?
The Guardian says officials explored whether they could force the world's most advanced technology companies to submit their products for safety testing before launching them, though the report does not detail how such testing would work.