11 Accepted

AI governance requires a more developed central coordinating function beyond the sectoral approach.

Conclusion
The UK Government’s proposed approach to AI governance relies heavily on our existing regulatory system, and the promised central support functions. The time required to establish new regulatory bodies means that adopting a sectoral approach, at least initially, is a sensible starting point. We have heard that many regulators are already actively engaged with the implications of AI for their respective remits, both individually and through initiatives such as the Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum. However, it is already clear that the resolution of all of the Challenges set out in this report may require a more well-developed central coordinating function.
Government Response Summary
The government is establishing a central regulatory coordination function and a DRCF AI and Digital Hub to provide central support, coordinate regulators, identify overlaps/gaps, and offer a multi-agency advice service for AI innovators.
Paragraph Reference
103
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government Accepted
As part of our work to establish the UK’s AI regulatory framework, we are working closely with a range of regulators to make sure they have the skills, expertise and powers to deliver on our approach. We have also been engaging regulators to ensure that they are equipped to manage risks relating to AI, with multiple regulators beginning to take action in line with our proposed AI framework. We are in the process of establishing a range of central support functions to enable regulators to understand the emerging risks and challenges posed by developments in AI. This includes a central regulatory coordination function, which, once established, will coordinate across regulators to identify potential overlaps and gaps in regulatory remits and support regulators in implementing the regulatory principles for AI. Through this function we will put appropriate governance structures in place to support exchange of information and will produce guidance to regulators to support them in their activity. We will provide further details on the steps we are taking in this area in our forthcoming response to the white paper consultation. We are also continuing to explore options to address capability gaps within and across regulators. The AI Regulation White Paper set out potential approaches such as the creation of a common pool of expertise to support and to expand knowledge sharing between regulators. We are considering the feasibility and effectiveness of options such as this to support regulators implement the white paper principles. We have recently announced plans to work with the Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum to establish a multi-agency advice service known as the DRCF AI and Digital Hub. The hub will act as a single source of support for innovators of AI technologies. This will reduce the burden for these innovators needing to interact with multiple regulators simultaneously. The hub will also publish case studies of how innovators have been supported, spreading learning to companies facing similar issues. This advisory service will help innovators to comply with multiple regulatory regimes, in order to accelerate the roll out new technologies whilst informing the development of the AI regulation framework.
Addressee Bodies
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
Timeline
Recommendation age 2.7 yrs
Report published 31 Aug 2023