Ayesha Bhatti

If the European Commission truly wants innovation-led growth, it should abandon the idea that protection equals prosperity.

The Center for Data Innovation submitted these comments to the UK government’s Intellectual Property Office, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, and Department for Culture, Media and Sport on its consultation on proposed changes to the UK’s copyright regime, the Copyright, Design, and Patents Act (CDPA) 1988.

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.

The EU's complex digital regulations, including the recent AI Act, are causing major tech companies to delay AI rollouts, leaving Europe behind its global counterparts. To boost competitiveness, the EU must shift its focus from strict regulation to fostering digital adoption.

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.

Join ITIF's Center for Data Innovation for a discussion on the potential consequences of the UK government’s proposed option and how creating a more permissive text and data mining exception would advance the UK’s goals of being competitive in AI without undermining the rights of creators.

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.