Artificial intelligence (AI) has been a hot topic for years, but the release of generative AI (GenAI) models at the end of 2022 has brought this conversation to the forefront. The urgent need for regulation in this area has sparked discussions throughout 2023.
Parliament in the UK has taken action by launching inquiries into different aspects of AI technology. These include looking into autonomous weapon systems, large language models (LLMs), and general AI governance in the UK.
Computer Weekly’s coverage of AI regulation has mainly centered around these developments in the UK. This includes the government’s release of its long-awaited AI whitepaper, their stance on not needing specific AI legislation just yet, and their organization of the world’s first AI Safety Summit at Bletchley Park in November, which Computer Weekly had the opportunity to attend along with press from across the globe.
There have also been interesting developments with the European Union’s (EU) AI Act, which has taken a market-oriented, risk-based approach to regulation, as well as efforts by civil society, unions, and backbench MPs in the UK to tailor regulation to meet the needs of workers and communities most affected by AI’s operation.
1. MPs warned of AI arms race to the bottom
The MPs’ first Parliamentary session on AI regulation highlighted the impact of the flurry of LLMs deployed by GenAI firms, prompting big tech companies into an “arms race” to the bottom in terms of safety and standards.
Michael Osborne, a professor of machine learning at Oxford University, pointed out that big tech firms are feeling the competitive pressure to develop similar tech that could be dangerous due to the release of ChatGPT by OpenAI. This has led to concerns about the willingness to sacrifice safeguards and take on more risks in the pursuit of valuable AI technology.
2. Lords Committee investigates use of AI-powered weapons systems
The Lords Artificial Intelligence in Weapon Systems Committee has spent the year exploring the ethics of developing and deploying lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS). This includes examining their potential for conflict escalation and compliance with international laws.
In its first evidence session, the Lords Committee heard about the dangers of using AI in the military and the questionable claims that it would reduce loss of life. This led to discussions about how AI speeds up warfare and its potential impact beyond human cognition.