10 Accepted

General-purpose AI creates regulatory overlap, blurring responsibilities and causing widespread confusion.

Conclusion
The general-purpose nature of AI will, in some instances, lead to regulatory overlap, and a potential blurring of responsibilities. This could create confusion on the part of consumers, developers and deployers of the technology, as well as regulators themselves.
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the potential for regulatory overlap and confirms its strategy of relying on existing expert regulators. It outlines efforts to support coordination and collaboration among regulators through £10m funding for AI capabilities, £2m for the DRCF's AI and Digital Hub, and the new Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO) to ensure different bodies work together smoothly.
Paragraph Reference
45
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government Accepted
The Government recognises that, beyond placing requirements on the development of the most powerful artificial intelligence models, there are a broad range of issues associated with AI development and deployment which require regulatory oversight. In most cases, we believe that our existing expert regulators are best placed to apply rules to the use of AI in the contexts they know better than anyone else. The Government remains committed to a pro-innovation approach, with existing expert regulators addressing AI risks in their sectors, understanding where and how the product or service may be used. AI in their sectors. DSIT remains committed to providing £10m of funding to boost regulators’ AI capabilities. This funding is one part of a broader programme of work to support regulators to adapt to the age of AI. The Government supports coordination, collaboration and knowledge exchange between regulators. For example, Government has provided £2m to support the DRCF’s AI and Digital Hub, a cross-regulatory advice service which enables innovators to get joined-up advice on regulatory compliance. The Government will continue to work with regulators to implement pro- innovation regulatory initiatives, including through our newly established Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO). The Regulatory Innovation Office was formally established on 8th October 2024. It will be the Government’s primary lever for achieving its transformative ambitions in regulatory innovation. The RIO will support regulators to update regulation, speeding up approvals, and ensuring different regulatory bodies work together smoothly. It will work to continuously inform the Government of regulatory barriers to innovation, set priorities for regulators which align with the Government’s broader ambitions and support regulators to develop the capability they need to meet them and grow the economy. The RIO will initially support the growth of four fast-growing areas of technology making a difference to people’s lives before backing further technologies and sectors as the Office evolves. One of the four initial technologies that the RIO will focus on is Artificial Intelligence and Digital in healthcare, which is set to revolutionise healthcare delivery. RIO will support the healthcare sector to deploy AI innovations safely, improving NHS efficiency and patients’ health outcomes. AI in the public and private sectors Government response to Committee conclusions and recommendations 16 – 20
Addressee Bodies
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
Timeline
Recommendation age 2.0 yrs
Report published 28 May 2024