In September 2021, the UK launched its first National AI Strategy, setting out a 10-year plan to establish the country as an "AI and science superpower." The strategy focuses on investing in the AI ecosystem, supporting AI adoption across sectors, and developing a governance framework that encourages innovation while protecting public values.
The UK has opted for a distributed regulatory model, with oversight responsibilities shared across existing agencies in their respective domains. For example, healthcare AI is regulated by the Department of Health & Social Care, while broadcasting-related AI falls under Ofcom's purview. To ensure coherence, the government established the Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum (DRCF) to coordinate between key regulators.
Promoting transparency and accountability is a key focus. The UK has developed pioneering algorithmic transparency standards for the public sector, requiring organizations to provide clear information about AI systems used and the rationale for their deployment. The Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation (CDEI) released an AI Assurance Roadmap with guidance on assessing and mitigating AI risks.
Data protection in the UK is governed by the 2018 Data Protection Act and UK GDPR, with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) serving as an independent regulator. The UK remains a member of the Council of Europe and party to Convention 108+, which enshrines the right to algorithmic transparency.
The use of live facial recognition technology by police has faced legal challenges and criticism over privacy and bias concerns. In 2020, the Court of Appeal ruled its use by South Wales Police was unlawful. The ICO issued guidance stating there is a "high bar" for lawful use of facial recognition in public places. However, some police forces continue to deploy the technology.
Internationally, the UK is a founding member of the Global Partnership on AI and has endorsed the OECD AI Principles. It is actively engaged in shaping AI governance frameworks being developed by the EU, Council of Europe and other international bodies.
Key challenges for UK policymakers include keeping pace with rapid technological change, balancing innovation and regulation, aligning its approach with EU AI regulations post-Brexit, and addressing controversies around facial recognition and other AI applications.
This country report is our interpretation and summary of the "CAIDP Artificial Intelligence & Democratic Values Index 2023". The full report can be found here - https://www.caidp.org/reports/aidv-2023/