AI And The Upcoming UK Elections: A Closer Look At Manifesto Commitments

01-Jul-2024

With the UK general election scheduled for 4 July 2024, the focus has increasingly shifted towards the policies of the major political parties, particularly their stance on artificial intelligence (AI). As AI continues to transform various sectors, understanding each party's approach to AI regulation and development is crucial for voters and stakeholders alike. This blog delves into the AI-related manifesto commitments of the five main political parties: the Conservatives, Labour, the Liberal Democrats, the Green Party, and Reform UK.

Current Approach to Regulating AI in the UK

The UK's current approach to AI regulation is fundamentally different from that of the EU. While the EU AI Act, coming into force in August, is hailed as the world's first comprehensive AI law, the UK has opted for a 'pro-innovation' strategy. This approach, outlined in a white paper from March 2023, suggests regulating AI on a sectoral basis using existing laws and principles rather than introducing new, AI-specific legislation.

The UK government's five non-statutory principles for AI regulation include:

Safety, security, and robustness.
Appropriate transparency and explainability.
Fairness.
Accountability and governance.
Contestability and redress.

This strategy allows flexibility and sector-specific regulation but is under continuous review, with the potential for future legislation as the understanding of AI risks matures.

Party Manifestos and AI

Conservative Party

The Conservative manifesto largely continues their current approach without proposing significant changes. Key points include:

Continued investment in large-scale compute clusters to leverage AI potential and support safe, responsible AI research.
Doubling the civil service’s digital and AI expertise to enhance government efficiency and transform public services.
Establishing a new medtech pathway for rapid adoption of AI in the NHS, aiming to free up more time for frontline patient care.

The Conservatives emphasize protecting creators' rights in the face of AI advancements but do not provide detailed proposals on resolving AI and copyright tensions.

Labour Party

Labour’s approach includes some novel regulatory frameworks while aligning closely with current sectoral strategies:

Establishing a new Regulatory Innovation Office to assist regulators in updating regulations and coordinating cross-boundary issues.
Introducing binding regulations on companies developing the most powerful AI models, similar to current government proposals.
Banning sexually explicit deepfakes.

Labour also aims to harness AI for healthcare improvements and does not provide a detailed strategy for AI and copyright conflicts.

Liberal Democrats

The Liberal Democrats advocate for a comprehensive and ethical approach to AI regulation:

Creating a clear, well-resourced cross-sectoral regulatory framework.
Halting the use of facial recognition surveillance and introducing regulations for biometric surveillance.
Negotiating the UK's participation in the EU-US Trade and Technology Council to play a leading role in global AI regulation.

The manifesto lacks specific details on AI and copyright but pledges support for modern and flexible intellectual property rules.

Green Party

The Green Party's manifesto, though less detailed online, emphasises a cautious regulatory stance:

Aligning the UK's AI regulation with European and global standards to address future AI risks.
Ensuring workers' rights amidst AI-induced changes in working conditions.
Securing equitable access to AI’s benefits and addressing related ethical concerns.

The Greens also stress protecting creators' intellectual property from AI exploitation.

Reform UK Party

Reform UK's manifesto does not explicitly address AI, making it challenging to predict their regulatory approach. Their focus remains on general innovation and technology without specific AI policies.

Bottom Line:

As the UK heads to the polls on 4 July 2024, AI regulation stands as a significant issue that could shape the future of various industries. Each party offers a distinct vision, from the Conservatives' continuation of the pro-innovation strategy to Labour's proposed new regulatory office and the Green Party's precautionary alignment with European standards. Understanding these positions will be essential for voters concerned about the rapid advancement and integration of AI technologies in society.