The UK government has announced over £100 million in new funding to support an “agile” approach to AI regulation. This includes £10 million to prepare and upskill regulators to address the risks and opportunities of AI across sectors like telecoms, healthcare, and education. 

The investment comes at a vital time, as research from Thoughtworks shows 91% of British people argue that government regulations must do more to hold businesses accountable for their AI systems. The public wants more transparency, with 82% of consumers favouring businesses that proactively communicate how they are regulating general AI.

In a government response published today to last year’s AI Regulation White Paper consultation, the UK outlined its context-based approach to regulation that empowers existing regulators to address AI risks in a targeted way, while avoiding rushed legislation that could stifle innovation.

However, the government for the first time set out its thinking on potential future binding requirements for developers building advanced AI systems, to ensure accountability for safety – a measure 68% of the public said was needed in AI regulation. 

The response also revealed all key regulators will publish their approach to managing AI risks by 30 April, detailing their expertise and plans for the coming year. This ai