Ayesha Bhatti

The UK’s new Data (Use and Access) Bill aims to enable AI and data-driven services, reviving parts of the previous DPDI Bill. To seize post-EU opportunities, it should adopt provisions tightening personal data definitions and aligning government-ICO priorities.

The UK stands at a critical moment when embracing digital transformation, AI, and data innovation is not just an opportunity but also a necessity. By implementing forward-thinking policies, the UK can not only drive economic growth but also position itself as a global leader in emerging technologies.

The UK government needs to make a choice: competitiveness and growth or heavy-handed regulation in the service of social policy. It can have one but not both.

The AIA came into law on 12th July 2024, triggering several actions by the AIO to ensure streamlined compliance with the new rules. The Center for Data Innovation puts forward six key recommendations to support AI innovation and adoption within the new framework.

AI presents a wealth of opportunity for the UK, not only as an economy boosting mechanism, but also as a tool for improving the lives of UK citizens. AI adoption is key to the Action Plan, and the government should take actions that can simultaneously support AI sector growth and AI adoption.

The UK's AI Opportunities Action Plan focuses on sector growth and adoption. The government should encourage lightweight models, invest in industry-academia partnerships, and establish sector centres to support AI uptake across industries.

Labour aims to revive the UK’s economy by focusing on spreading innovation across all sectors, addressing the nation's productivity challenges through practical measures. By building on existing projects and ensuring the adoption of new technologies, particularly in both high-tech and low-tech sectors, Labour can deliver visible results and drive meaningful growth across the country.

Following the King’s Speech two weeks ago, which outlined the new government’s legislative agenda, three key issues are likely to dominate UK AI policy discussions: AI legislation, boosting the UK’s AI ecosystem, and unlocking AI-driven productivity in the public sector. Crucially, the thread tying these three issues together is Labour’s desire for economic growth, which the UK technology sector should take as a positive step in the long road to homegrown AI innovation.

Europe's evolving political landscape, marked by recent elections and changing priorities, has significant implications for AI policy. While EU policymakers focus on defense, security, and economic growth, integrating AI could bolster these efforts.

A nationally representative survey of more than 2,000 adults in the UK, conducted by Public First in partnership with the Center for Data Innovation to track how public attitudes and perceptions of artificial intelligence.

In this challenging world, strong techno-economic cooperation between the United States and its closest allies is all the more critical, but can be undermined by the abuse of digital regulation that ultimately ends up placing undue burdens on American firms.

With the AI Act set to take effect soon, the focus now shifts to implementing this complex legislation. Central to this effort is establishing the AI Office, mandated to coordinate the Act's application, conduct AI safety research, develop Codes of Practice, and address compliance issues. However, there are concerns that bureaucratic challenges could hinder the Office, potentially stalling European AI innovation.

Watch now for a panel discussion exploring the hurdles impeding the widespread adoption of AI in the public sector and examining actionable steps to empower and facilitate the sector in harnessing the benefits of this cutting-edge technology.

Ayesha Bhatti speaks at Impact the Future: International Women's Day 2024 on exploring the importance of open-source development in the pursuit of innovation.