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From Sunak to Starmer: The Future of AI Governance in the UK

With the Labour Party now in power after 14 years, Prime Minister Keir Starmer took office on July 5. He was expected to introduce a significant artificial intelligence (AI) bill during the King’s Speech, where King Charles III outlines the new government’s agenda. However, the AI bill was unexpectedly removed from the address, leaving many wondering about the future of AI regulation under Labour.

Sunak’s AI Legacy

Rishi Sunak’s tenure saw a significant milestone in AI governance: the AI Safety Summit at Bletchley Park on November 1-2, 2023. This summit, held at the historic World War II codebreaking site, aimed to foster international cooperation to mitigate AI’s risks. The resulting Bletchley Declaration was a landmark agreement signed by the UK, the United States, the European Union, China, and over two dozen other nations. Sunak’s engagement with tech leaders like OpenAI’s Sam Altman, xAI’s Elon Musk, and DeepMind co-founder Mustafa Suleyman underscored the UK’s commitment to AI safety.

Despite this international cooperation, Sunak’s approach was notably light-touch, favoring voluntary agreements over strict regulations. Nick Reiners, a senior geotechnology analyst at Eurasia Group, noted that Sunak’s focus on the “existential risk” of AI was driven by Silicon Valley’s concerns. “He saw AI as a way to build a legacy in a short time and this issue was something that animated him personally,” Reiners said.

Labour’s AI Agenda

Scott Bade, another senior geotechnology analyst at Eurasia Group, suggests that while Starmer may not follow Sunak’s exact approach, he will likely build on the progress made. “Starmer does not have a signature global issue yet, and is unlikely to see AI as that issue,” Bade commented. “But I’d be surprised if the UK didn’t keep showing up at the table to build on what Sunak did since this is the niche Britain now has in AI global governance. It will just be dialed down a peg or two.”

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Starmer is expected to focus more on the immediate impacts of AI, such as workers’ rights and bias, compared to Sunak’s existential concerns. This shift indicates a move towards actual legislation. The AI bill that Labour planned to introduce aimed to regulate powerful large language models, but its presentation has been delayed. King Charles, in his speech, mentioned bills on cybersecurity and digital information, suggesting these issues have taken precedence over the AI bill for now.

Balancing Innovation and Regulation

A tech leader told the Financial Times, “My suspicion is that they opted not to present this [AI regulation] now as they didn’t want to upset their growth narrative.” Reiners added that limits on the number of parliamentary bills per session might also be a factor, making AI a lower priority for the current session.

When Labour eventually introduces an AI bill, it is expected to be less stringent than the comprehensive European AI Act. “I would say the UK is still generally respected as taking a thoughtful innovation-friendly approach to regulation in general,” Reiners noted.

The UK’s AI Ecosystem

The UK is home to several successful AI startups, such as Stability AI, Google’s DeepMind lab, and the digital avatar company Synthesia. Additionally, major AI-focused US tech companies, like Microsoft and Salesforce, have recently invested in the country. With the UK’s economy facing challenges, Starmer’s task will be to introduce legislative reforms that encourage innovation without deterring Big Tech investment.

Looking Ahead

While Sunak focused on positioning the UK as a global leader in AI through voluntary agreements, Starmer is likely to address immediate AI-related issues with potential legislation. However, maintaining a balance that fosters innovation and attracts investment will be crucial. As the political landscape evolves, so will the UK’s strategy in navigating the future of AI governance.

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The transition from Sunak to Starmer marks a shift in the UK’s approach to AI, with a potential move from voluntary agreements to more concrete regulations. However, the focus on innovation and maintaining the UK’s leadership in AI will likely remain a priority, ensuring that the country continues to play a significant role in the global AI landscape.

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