Ninth Report - The governance of artificial intelligence: interim report
Select Committee
Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
HC 1769
31 August 2023
Recommendations
2 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 …
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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
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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 …
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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
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Conclusions (8) 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.
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.