Governance of artificial intelligence (AI)

Science, Innovation and Technology Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 20 Oct 2022 Closed: 28 May 2024 Parliament page
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) has increased significantly in recent years. It offers a range of potential benefits such as quicker analysis of large datasets allowing more accurate information, forecasts and predictions, and more personalised public services. However, there are a number of concerns, such as the possibility of … Read more
17 Recommendations
67 Conclusions
2 Reports
9 Oral sessions
2 Letters
9 Events
Activity timeline 24 events
10 Jan
2025
Report published
28 May
2024
Report published
13 Dec
2023
Oral evidence
13 Dec
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 6, Palace of Westminster
6 Dec
2023
Correspondence
16 Nov
2023
Report published
16 Nov
2023
Correspondence
8 Nov
2023
Oral evidence
8 Nov
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 8, Palace of Westminster
25 Oct
2023
Oral evidence
25 Oct
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 6, Palace of Westminster
31 Aug
2023
Report published
Oral evidence sessions 9 sessions
13 Dec 2023
View on parliament.uk
Work for the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology
Rt Hon Michelle Donelan · Department for Science, Innovation and Technology Sarah Munby · Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
8 Nov 2023
View on parliament.uk
Governance of artificial intelligence (AI)
Emran Mian · Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Matt Clifford · AI Safety Summit
25 Oct 2023
View on parliament.uk
Governance of AI
Dame Melanie Dawes · Ofcom Jessica Rusu · Financial Conduct Authority John Edwards · Information Commissioner's Office Kate Jones · Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum Will Hayter · Competition and Markets Authority (CMA)
24 May 2023
View on parliament.uk
Governance of artificial intelligence (AI)
Dr Marion Oswald · The Alan Turing Institute and Northumbria University Dr Tony Mansfield · National Physical Laboratory Lindsey Chiswick · Metropolitan Police Michael Birtwistle · Ada Lovelace Institute
10 May 2023
View on parliament.uk
Governance of artificial intelligence (AI)
Coran Darling · DLA Piper Dr Hayleigh Bosher · Brunel University Jamie Njoku-Goodwin · UK Music Paul Fleming · Equity
29 Mar 2023
View on parliament.uk
Daisy Christodoulou · No More Marking Dr Matthew Glanville · The International Baccalaureate Joel Kenyon · Dormers Wells High School, Southall, London Professor Rose Luckin · University College London
8 Mar 2023
View on parliament.uk
Professor Andrew Hopkins · Exscientia Professor Delmiro Fernandez-Reyes · University College London Professor Mihaela van der Schaar · Cambridge Centre for AI in Medicine, Cambridge University
22 Feb 2023
View on parliament.uk
Adrian Joseph · BT Group Hugh Milward · Microsoft Jen Gennai · Google Professor Dame Wendy Hall · University of Southampton Professor Sir Nigel Shadbolt · Jesus College, University of Oxford
25 Jan 2023
View on parliament.uk
Panel One; Panel Two
Dr Manish Patel · Jiva.ai Michael Cohen · University of Oxford Mrs Katherine Holden · techUK Professor Michael Osborne · University of Oxford and Mind Foundry
Recommendations & Conclusions
17 results
Clear
8 Conclusion Acknowledged
Ninth Report - The governance of a…
Translating AI's wide potential into safe, sustainable reality poses a significant policy challenge.
The wide range of potential applications, and associated benefits, reflects the general- purpose nature of AI. As with previous technological innovations, the challenge for policymakers is translating this potential into reality, in a safe and sustainable way. (Paragraph 40) 36 … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the challenges and states it will continue to assess the implications of AI developments, consider devolution impacts, and engage devolved administrations as its policy evolves, building on the existing AI regulation framework.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
View details
9 Conclusion Acknowledged
Ninth Report - The governance of a…
Address the twelve outlined AI governance challenges through domestic policy and international engagement.
The Government’s approach to AI governance and regulation should address each of the twelve challenges we have outlined, both through domestic policy and international engagement. (Paragraph 88) The Government approach to AI
Government Response
The government agrees on the importance of AI governance and points to its AI Regulation White Paper, stating it will develop its approach in consultation and provide an update through its response to the White Paper consultation.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
View details
10 Conclusion Acknowledged
Ninth Report - The governance of a…
UK's initial AI regulatory approach risks falling behind the rapid pace of development.
The UK has a long history of technological innovation and regulatory expertise, which can help it forge a distinctive regulatory path on AI. The AI white paper should be welcomed as an initial effort to engage with a complex task. … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees on the importance of an AI governance regime and has published its White Paper, emphasizing its intent not to rush legislation but to implement the right measures at the right time. They will provide an update through their response to the AI Regulation White Paper.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
View details
17 Conclusion Acknowledged
Ninth Report - The governance of a…
Utilise interim report challenges as basis for global AI safety summit discussions.
The Prime Minister was right to say that AI does not respect national borders, and we welcome the announcement of a global summit on AI safety in London. The challenges highlighted in our interim Report should form the basis for … Read more
Government Response
The government welcomes the Committee’s analysis, agreeing on the importance of addressing AI challenges through international action and engagement. It highlights the successful convening of the first AI Safety Summit, which aimed to advance a shared international understanding of AI challenges and opportunities, leading to the Bletchley Declaration.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
View details
19 Conclusion Acknowledged
Ninth Report - The governance of a…
Implement measures to safely harness AI benefits and provide credible protection from harm.
There is as little consensus about how AI will evolve as there has been excitement and hyperbole following its rise to ubiquity. AI cannot be un-invented. It has and will continue to change the way we live our lives. Humans … Read more
Government Response
The government welcomes the Committee’s analysis and agrees on the need for effective domestic governance, regulation, and international engagement to ensure safe AI innovation and public trust. They have set out their principles-based approach in the AI Regulation White Paper and will provide a wider update later this year.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
View details
20 Conclusion Acknowledged
Ninth Report - The governance of a…
Pausing AI development is not deliverable, yet new regulation remains essential.
Some observers have called for the development of certain types of AI models and tools to be paused, allowing global regulatory and governance frameworks to catch up. We are unconvinced that such a pause is deliverable. When AI leaders say … Read more
Government Response
The government agreed a governance regime for AI is vital and highlighted its March 2023 White Paper outlining a principles-based approach using existing regulators. It stated it will not rush to new legislation but will update its approach through its response to the White Paper consultation.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
View details
21 Conclusion Acknowledged
Ninth Report - The governance of a…
Address the twelve Challenges of AI Governance set out for policymakers.
The twelve Challenges of AI Governance which we have set out must be addressed by policymakers in all jurisdictions. Different administrations may choose different ways to do this. (Paragraph 123) 38 The governance of artificial intelligence: interim report Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the varied approaches to AI governance across jurisdictions and the imperative for international interoperability, noting its own AI regulation framework applies to the whole UK. They will continue to assess implications and engage devolved administrations.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
View details
18 Recommendation Acknowledged
Third Report - Governance of artif…
Confirm i.AI public sector pilot list, selection criteria, evaluation, and future plans.
In its response to this Report, the Government should confirm the full list of public sector pilots currently being led or supported by i.AI, the criteria that determined i.AI pilot project selections, how it intends to evaluate their success and … Read more
Government Response
The government lists several i.AI pilot projects such as 'Caddy' and 'Redbox', directing to the i.AI website for further details. However, it does not provide the specific selection criteria, evaluation methods, or plans for other pilots as requested in the report, stating "further updates on this will be shared."
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
View details
20 Conclusion Acknowledged
Third Report - Governance of artif…
Extend Algorithmic Transparency Standard to all public bodies from January 2025.
The requirement for Government departments to use the Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard should be extended to all public bodies sponsored by Government departments, from 1 January 2025. (Paragraph 77) The AI Safety Institute
Government Response
The government has made the Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard (ATRS) mandatory for central government departments and a priority group of 85 arm’s-length bodies. It states an intent to extend it to the broader public sector over time and will continue to explore options for further embedding and enforcing its use, but does not commit to extending it to all sponsored public bodies by 1 January 2025.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
View details
22 Conclusion Acknowledged
Third Report - Governance of artif…
Continue empowering AI Safety Institute to recruit necessary talent for its mission.
The next Government should continue to empower the Institute to recruit the talent it needs.
Government Response
The government intends to put the AI Safety Institute (AISI) on a statutory footing, which it believes would strengthen its role. However, the response does not provide specific details on how it will continue to empower the Institute to recruit the talent it needs.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
View details
27 Conclusion Acknowledged
Third Report - Governance of artif…
US and EU pursue distinct AI governance for competitive regulatory advantage.
In our interim Report we highlighted moves by both the United States and European Union to develop their own approaches to AI governance. The subsequent White House Executive Order and the EU AI Act are clear attempts to secure competitive … Read more
Government Response
The government reiterates its commitment to making the UK a world leader in AI and states it will continue to engage closely with international partners as it further develops its approach to AI governance, including legislative proposals.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
View details
28 Conclusion Acknowledged
Third Report - Governance of artif…
UK's distinct AI approach significant despite potential US and EU regulatory effects.
It is true that the size of both the United States and European Union markets may mean that ‘the Washington effect’ and ‘Brussels effect’—referring to the de facto standardising of global regulatory approaches, potentially to the detriment of the UK’s … Read more
Government Response
The government reaffirmed its commitment to making the UK a world leader in AI and will continue to engage with international partners, including the US and EU, to develop its AI governance approach and legislative proposals. It highlighted its ongoing international leadership through summits and the AI Standards Hub.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
View details
29 Conclusion Acknowledged
Third Report - Governance of artif…
US and EU AI governance approaches reveal downsides in scope and implementation.
Both the US and EU approaches to AI governance have their downsides. The scope of the former only imposes a requirement on Federal bodies and relies on voluntary commitments from leading developers. The latter has been criticised for its top- … Read more
Government Response
The government did not directly address the committee's specific observations on the downsides of US and EU AI governance. Instead, it reiterated its commitment to making the UK an AI leader, continuing international engagement, and developing its own AI governance approach and legislative proposals, highlighting existing initiatives.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
View details
30 Conclusion Acknowledged
Third Report - Governance of artif…
Apply lessons learned from other jurisdictions to UK's distinct AI governance approach.
The UK is entitled to pursue an approach that considers developments in other jurisdictions but does not unthinkingly replicate them. However, where there are lessons to be learned from other jurisdictions, the next Government should be willing to apply them. Read more
Government Response
The government stated its commitment to continuing engagement with international partners, including the US and EU, to further develop its AI governance approach and legislative proposals, aligning with the principle of learning from other jurisdictions while maintaining a distinct UK approach.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
View details
31 Conclusion Acknowledged
Third Report - Governance of artif…
Continue international AI agenda and swiftly establish domestic framework addressing governance challenges.
The UK has a long history of encouraging technological innovation by offering a stable, expert regulatory environment coupled with clear industry standards. The current Government is therefore right to have encouraged the growth of a strong AI sector in the … Read more
Government Response
The government affirmed its commitment to making the UK an AI leader, continuing its international agenda through summits and the AI Safety Institute, and engaging with partners to develop its AI governance approach and legislative proposals, broadly aligning with the recommendation for a domestic framework.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
View details
48 Conclusion Acknowledged
Third Report - Governance of artif…
Prioritise testing and verifying AI model outputs while investigating their decision-making processes.
The regulators charged with implementing the Government’s high-level AI governance principles should, in their approach to these models and tools, prioritise testing and verifying their outputs, as well seeking to establish—whilst accepting the difficulty of doing so with absolute certainty—how … Read more
Government Response
The government provided a general statement committing to defending AI openness, supporting the open-source ecosystem, and taking steps to improve AI safety, but did not detail specific actions or priorities for regulators regarding testing and verifying AI outputs.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
View details
49 Conclusion Acknowledged
Third Report - Governance of artif…
AI marketplace requires diversity to support both open and closed-source models.
The open-source approach has underpinned many technological breakthroughs, including the Internet and AI. Whilst some providers of products and services, such as AI models and their applications, will want to keep elements of their offerings proprietary, a healthy AI marketplace … Read more
Government Response
The government expresses commitment to defending the importance of openness and supporting the UK’s open-source ecosystem while also taking steps to improve AI safety.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
View details
Government Response AI assessment · 84 of 17 classified
Accepted 53
Accepted in Part 2
Acknowledged 17
Deferred 8
Rejected 4
Total 17 recs + 67 conclusions
Correspondence 2 letters
6 Dec 2023 Correspondence from to Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology to Chair, in relation to Governance of Artificial Intelligence, dated 24 November 2023
Parliament page
16 Nov 2023 From committee Letter to the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology relating to the governance of artificial intelligence, dated 10 November 2023
Parliament page