AI Industry Innovations , AI Technologies , Generative AI

What Will UK Labour Government Mean for AI, Data Protection?

The new Labour government in the U.K. is expected to significantly shift AI and data protection compliance. While the previous administration has leaned toward self-regulation of AI by tech companies, Jonathan Armstrong, legal expert and partner at Punter Southall Law, said Labour could enforce existing laws more rigorously and introduce new legislation to regulate AI effectively.

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"The honeymoon period for large AI providers in the U.K. is possibly over," Armstrong said, and he mentioned the potential for new regulations similar to the EU AI Act.

The new government could encourage the Information Commissioner's Office to use its existing powers to regulate AI, particularly in the area of transparency. Labour's proposal to establish a Regulatory Innovation Office could consolidate existing laws and enhance enforcement. And plans to make voluntary safety rules legally binding and set up a National Data Library to support AI applications could address current challenges with training data, Armstrong said.

"The main thing to do will obviously be to keep alert to watch out for those changes," he said. He also suggested planning for EU AI regulations and including U.K. operations in compliance efforts, as many U.K. companies also operate in Europe.

In this video interview with Information Security Media Group, Armstrong discussed:

• The Labour government's likely move toward AI regulations;
• The creation of a Regulatory Innovation Office to enhance AI compliance;
• The proposed National Data Library to improve AI applications.

Armstrong is a lawyer specializing in compliance and technology. He is regarded as one of the foremost cybersecurity experts and is active in advising clients on GDPR compliance and AI risks and opportunities.