Ninth Report - The governance of artificial intelligence: interim report

Select Committee

Science, Innovation and Technology Committee HC 1769 31 August 2023

Report Status Government responded

Conclusions & Recommendations 22 items (6 recs)

Source View on Parliament website

Government Response (AI assessment · 22 of 22 classified)

Accepted 10

Accepted in Part 1

Deferred 4

Recommendations

6 results

12 Accepted

Para 104

Conduct a comprehensive gap analysis of UK regulators' capacity and powers for AI implementation.

Recommendation

The AI white paper is right to highlight the importance of regulatory capacity to the successful implementation of its principles. The Government should, as part of its implementation of its proposals, undertake a gap analysis of the UK’s regulators, which … Read more

Government Response Summary

The government accepts the need for regulatory capacity and is working with regulators to ensure they have the necessary skills, expertise, and powers. They are establishing a central regulatory coordination function to identify overlaps and gaps in remits, and have announced a multi-agency advice service (DRCF AI and Digital Hub) to support innovators.

Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

14 Deferred

Introduce a tightly-focussed AI Bill to establish regulator 'due regard' duties promptly.

Recommendation

The Government has said in the AI white paper that it may legislate, at a minimum, to establish ‘due regard’ duties for existing regulators. That commitment alone—in addition to any further requirements that may emerge—suggests that there should be a … Read more

Government Response Summary

The government does not intend to introduce new AI legislation immediately, preferring an evidence-based approach and further learning about risks. They will provide more details on their next steps as part of the white paper consultation response.

Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

15 Deferred

Para 107

Confirm plans for AI-specific legislation and work undertaken exploring Bill contents.

Recommendation

In its reply to this interim Report, and its response to the AI white paper consultation, the Government should confirm whether AI-specific legislation, such as the introduction of a requirement for regulators to pay due regard to the AI white … Read more

Government Response Summary

The government states it does not intend to introduce new AI legislation immediately and will not preempt its white paper response to confirm legislative plans for the next Parliament. They will set out further details on next steps as part of that consultation response.

Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

16 Accepted in Part

Confirm Foundation Model Taskforce membership, terms of reference, and pilot projects.

Recommendation

We welcome the establishment of a Foundation Model Taskforce, the appointment of Ian Hogarth as its chair, and the Government’s stated intention for it to take a similar approach to the Vaccines Taskforce. This agile approach is necessary and proportionate … Read more

Government Response Summary

The government announced seven expert board members and initial partnerships for the Taskforce, but not a full confirmation of terms of reference or a complete list of public sector pilot projects. It noted the Taskforce is transitioning into the AI Safety Institute, with further details to be released.

Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

18 Accepted

Establish forum for like-minded countries to enhance mutual protection against hostile AI actors.

Recommendation

The summit should aim to advance a shared international understanding of the challenges of AI—as well as its opportunities. Invitations to the summit should therefore be extended to as wide a range of countries as possible. Given the importance of … Read more

Government Response Summary

The government confirms it has convened the inaugural AI Safety Summit with wide international representation, leading to the Bletchley Declaration on shared understanding of AI risks and opportunities. It also acknowledges the value of discussing democratic values and is actively working with nations through the Council of Europe and other partnerships to develop mutual protection against threats.

Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

22 Deferred

Accelerate establishment of comprehensive AI governance regime including necessary statutory measures.

Recommendation

We believe that the UK’s depth of expertise in AI and the disciplines which contribute to it—the vibrant and competitive developer and content industry that the UK is home to; and the UK’s longstanding reputation for developing trustworthy and innovative … Read more

Government Response Summary

The government agrees on the importance of an AI governance regime and has published a White Paper, but states it will not rush to introduce new legislation. An update on their approach will be provided through their response to the AI Regulation White Paper.

Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

Conclusions (16) Observations and findings — click to expand

1 Conclusion Accepted

Para 15

While AI is not a new technology, the rapidly acquired ubiquity of tools such as ChatGPT and the rate of development has come as a surprise to even well-informed observers. We are all now interacting with AI models and tools daily, and we are increasingly aware of these interactions.

Government Response Summary

Responding to the committee's observation on AI's ubiquity, the government highlighted its commitment to an evidence-based approach for AI in education and ongoing initiatives. These include Skills Bootcamps, a new AI Data Specialist Apprenticeship Standard, and funding to Oak National Academy for AI education tools.

2 Conclusion Accepted

Nevertheless, the technology should not be viewed as a form of magic or as something that creates sentient machines capable of self-improvement and independent decisions. It is akin to other technologies: humans instruct a model or tool and use the outputs to inform, assist or augment a range of activities. …

Government Response Summary

The government welcomed the committee's analysis and reiterated its commitment to effective domestic governance and international engagement on AI, referring to its existing AI Regulation White Paper. It noted ongoing work on foundation models and promised a wider update on its regulatory approach later this year.

3 Conclusion Accepted

Para 26

AI models and tools can transform healthcare provision, by assisting with diagnostics and, perhaps more significantly, freeing up time for the judgement of medical professionals by automating routine processes.

Government Response Summary

The government is working closely with regulators to equip them for AI, establishing central support functions including a regulatory coordination function. It also announced plans to create the DRCF AI and Digital Hub as a single advisory service for AI innovators.

4 Conclusion Accepted

Para 29

The ability of AI models and tools to process substantial volumes of data, and rapidly identify patterns where human researchers might take months or be unable to, makes it a potentially transformational technology for medical research. Either through the development of new drugs, or the repurposing of existing ones, the …

Government Response Summary

The government explained its evidence-based approach to AI regulation, without immediate new legislation, and highlighted the establishment of the Frontier AI Taskforce/AI Safety Institute. It also detailed work with frontier AI companies on safety policies, the recent AI Safety Summit, and commitment to establish a Central AI Risk Function.

5 Conclusion Accepted

Para 36

AI tools are already useful time-savers for education professionals, and whilst reliable data is hard to come by, it seems highly likely that the technology is this generation of students’ calculator or smartphone.

Government Response Summary

The government mentioned the transition of the Frontier AI Taskforce into the AI Safety Institute and affirmed its commitment to supporting AI adoption in public services. It provided specific examples of existing initiatives, including £2 million to Oak National Academy for AI education tools and the Department of Health and Social Care's use of AI for mental health support.

6 Conclusion Accepted

Para 37

The benefits for time-pressed teachers using AI models and tools to help prepare lesson plans are clear, and increased availability of personalised learning and tutoring tools could benefit many pupils. However, widespread use of AI raises questions about the nature of assessment, particularly in subjects that rely heavily on coursework.

Government Response Summary

The government welcomed the committee's analysis and reiterated its commitment to effective international action on AI, detailing extensive ongoing engagement through various multilateral fora and bilateral partnerships. It also highlighted the successful outcomes of the recent AI Safety Summit, including the Bletchley Declaration and plans for safety testing.

7 Conclusion Accepted

Para 38

Education policy must prioritise equipping children with the skills to succeed in a world where AI is ubiquitous: digital literacy and an ability to engage critically with the information provided by AI models and tools.

Government Response Summary

The government highlighted the outcomes of the inaugural AI Safety Summit, including the Bletchley Declaration and an £80 million AI for development collaboration. It also announced the launch of the world's first AI Safety Institute to conduct safety testing and research, committing to wide availability of its work and international partnerships.

8 Conclusion Acknowledged

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 The governance of artificial intelligence: interim report Twelve Challenges of …

Government Response Summary

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.

9 Conclusion Acknowledged

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 Summary

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.

10 Conclusion Acknowledged

Para 102

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. However, the approach outlined is already risking falling behind the …

Government Response Summary

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.

11 Conclusion Accepted

Para 103

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 …

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.

13 Conclusion Deferred

Para 105

The Government is yet to confirm whether AI-specific legislation will be included in the upcoming King’s Speech in November. This new session of Parliament will be the last opportunity before the General Election for the UK to legislate on the governance of AI. Following the Election it is unlikely that …

Government Response Summary

The government stated it does not intend to introduce new legislation immediately, preferring an evidence-based approach and further learning through initiatives like the AI Safety Institute and Summit. It confirmed that further details on next steps for AI regulation will be provided in the white paper consultation response.

17 Conclusion Acknowledged

Para 119

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 these important international discussions.

Government Response Summary

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.

19 Conclusion Acknowledged

Para 121

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 must take measures to safely harness the benefits of the …

Government Response Summary

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.

20 Conclusion Acknowledged

Para 122

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 that new regulation is essential, their calls cannot responsibly be …

Government Response Summary

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.

21 Conclusion Acknowledged

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

Government Response Summary

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.