How AI governance can support growth

The UK is at a pivotal moment in its AI journey

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has quickly become a part of our normal lives and is helping to overcome complex societal and economic challenges. AI diffusion could add £38bn to UK GVA by 2030 whilst contributing to addressing labour shortages, climate change and a stretched healthcare system. Considering its growing importance, the government and businesses are looking to create an AI governance ecosystem that promotes innovation and ensures safety and security in AI systems.

Several efforts are underway including:

• The government’s upcoming AI governance white paper
• The Commons Science & Technology Committee inquiry into the governance of artificial intelligence
• The Vallance review of the regulation of emerging technologies.

To support the government to develop a world leading AI governance ecosystem, the CBI has worked with businesses across the economy to put together recommendations that ensure a pro-innovation, proportionate, coordinated and trust-building approach is taken.

Businesses support the government’s approach. But it must get the implementation right

The government’s AI regulation policy paper suggests it will take a light-touch, context-specific and outcome-driven approach led by sectoral regulators. This is the right decision, particularly in contrast to the EU AI act.

Additionally, the government recognises the need to coordinate AI governance. Currently it is not joined up, varied and difficult to navigate.

In order to harmonise both aspects, the CBI’s Regulating AI: a framework to support UK growth and realise UK AI strategic advantage policy paper sets out three recommendations.

1. Strike the right balance between decentralisation and coordination
2. Use a blend of principles and guidance to ensure the non-statutory approach is effective
3. Position the UK as a global leader and the best place in the world to develop AI business models.

Read the full CBI policy paper on Regulating AI: a framework to support UK growth and realise UK AI strategic advantage.

Next Steps

Over the coming months, the CBI will continue to work with key stakeholders including: the Office for Artificial Intelligence, the new Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, the Commons Science & Technology Committee and the Office for Science and Technology Strategy, to feed in the perspectives of businesses and work to shape how these perspectives are addressed in the government’s white paper.

The CBI will continue to use the AI working group to inform this work. To join the working group or share your views contact Caleb.