Labor announces raft of new tech rules – but won’t reveal much-hyped ‘AI bill’

Labor has announced sweeping new rules for technology – though not the widely expected new AI laws.

Many in the technology and AI industries expected the King’s Speech to usher in new regulation and governance of AI. But it only involved passing on references to the technology – aimed at ensuring it did not conflict with workers’ rights – and no new legislation specifically targeted it.

Because of this, it remains largely unclear to what extent and in what way the government intends to regulate AI.

But she announced a number of other new technology-focused changes, including commitments to strengthen the UK’s cyber security and resilience, as well as making greater use of data to boost economic growth, through new laws announced in the King’s Speech.

The announced full AI Bill was not announced during the State Opening of Parliament, but the King’s Speech set out how the government is “seeking to introduce appropriate legislation to place demands on those working to develop the most powerful models of artificial intelligence”.

In response to the ever-increasing risk of cyber attacks, the new Labor government has said it will introduce the Cyber ​​Security and Resilience Act, which would give more powers to regulators to force more firms to implement better cyber protections.

He said the bill would broaden the scope of existing regulation and put regulators on a stronger footing, as well as increase reporting requirements on businesses to help build a better picture of cyber threats to the UK.

It would be joined by a new Digital Information and Smart Data Act that would enable new, “innovative” uses of data to power the economy.

The government said the new legislation would introduce digital authentication services, which would include digital identity products to help the public quickly and securely share key information about themselves when using online services in their everyday lives.

The bill would also enact the creation of a national underground asset registry that would give planners and excavators instant, standardized access to pipeline and cable data across the country.

It would also allow for the creation of so-called “smart data” schemes that would enable the secure sharing of customer data at their request with authorized third-party service providers.

The government said the bill would modernize and strengthen the data protection regulator – the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) – and that the legislation would also help scientists and researchers make better use of data for their work.

Carla Baker, senior director of government affairs for the UK and Ireland at cybersecurity firm Palo Alto Networks, said she welcomed the “renewed focus” on cyber security and the “vital role it plays in driving economic growth and building resilience among critical sectors of society”. .

“Recent high-profile attacks targeting the NHS, defense and other critical sectors of our economy have demonstrated the impact that malicious actors can have on our national security, as well as the functioning of key functions of society and our economy,” she said.

“Maintaining the security of critical national infrastructure in the face of an ever-changing threat landscape must be a priority, and we welcome today’s announcement.

“It will be essential that government works with industry to ensure that safety requirements in legislation are fit for purpose and strike the right balance between building resilience and supporting innovation.

“If we are to achieve sustainable economic growth in the UK, organizations cannot be burdened with too many prescriptive requirements. Government must take a coordinated approach to developing policy interventions that protect critical sectors of society and drive economic growth, and refrain from creating guidelines with overlapping or conflicting requirements.

“We need to build our cyber defenses. Government must take a principled approach to security and ensure that security requirements are developed in a coordinated and sustainable manner.

Additional agency reports