The UK government has unveiled its plan to introduce a comprehensive AI Bill, a significant step toward more stringent regulation of Artificial Intelligence technologies. This announcement, made during the King’s Speech, marks a pivotal shift from the previous administration’s flexible, principle-based framework to one characterised by binding regulations ensuring responsible AI use.
Simon Morris, Vice President of Solution Consulting at ServiceNow, highlighted the transformative potential of AI, emphasising, “As we enter an era where technology could amplify the potential of human beings to unprecedented levels, ensuring trust and responsibility within AI has never been more important.” He pointed out that to address issues like bias and to ensure AI’s value, the approach must be human-centric. According to Morris, AI systems should be inclusive, transparent, and accountable, designed to collaborate with humans rather than replace them.
Echoing these sentiments, Jennifer Belissent, Principal Data Strategist at Snowflake, stressed the necessity of practical AI regulation. “We cannot stop the development of AI because we know it will then go underground, but equally, we cannot and must not have unregulated AI,” Belissent noted. She emphasised the importance of internal organisational governance alongside external regulation, advocating for fine-grained access and usage policies to ensure data security and responsible AI utilisation.
Greg Hanson, Group Vice President of EMEA North at Informatica, remarked on the anticipated regulatory shift, “It’s a sign there will be a shift away from flexible, principle-based frameworks, towards binding regulation that mandates the responsible use of AI.” Hanson highlighted the need for businesses to demonstrate how they protect the integrity of AI systems and large language models. He underscored the importance of transparency regarding the data used to train AI models and understanding the decisions these models make.
Arun Kumar, UK Regional Director at ManageEngine, sees AI as a critical juncture for AI regulation in the UK, providing essential guidance on prioritizing trust and safety. “This bill promises to go a long way in helping to tackle the risks that come from a lack of specialised knowledge around this relatively new technology,” Kumar stated. He elaborated that legislation regarding safety and control mechanisms would help businesses use AI confidently to drive growth while mitigating associated risks.
From an investment perspective, Ekaterina Almasque, General Partner at OpenOcean, considered the potential impact on tech startups, “The government must tread lightly on the lives of UK tech startups. The previous government’s ‘light touch’ approach had its merits, avoiding wrapping its own startups in a regulatory straitjacket.” Nevertheless, Almasque acknowledged the importance of aligning with international AI regulations to promote interoperability and provide a clear regulatory framework, which could encourage investment.
Bill Wilson, Chief Sustainability Officer and Head of Data & Intelligence Solutions at NTT DATA UK&I, highlighted the benefits of the proposed AI regulation. “Regulation promotes best practices and a level playing field. Primary legislation has the potential to address the issues that citizens are most concerned about regarding AI while simultaneously building confidence in its legitimate and benign uses.” Wilson warned that overly protective measures could hinder the UK’s competitiveness, emphasising the need for a balanced approach that supports innovation while ensuring responsible AI use.
As the UK government prepares to introduce the AI Bill, industry experts express cautious optimism and advocate for balanced, human-centric regulation. The forthcoming legislative framework aims to bolster public trust and safety, promote investment stability, and encourage the responsible development and deployment of AI technologies across various sectors.
