UK Launches New Advisory Service for AI and Digital Innovation Compliance

The UK government has announced the launch of a new advisory service that will help businesses demonstrate compliance with regulatory standards for their digital technology and artificial intelligence (AI) innovations. The service, backed over £2 million in government funding, aims to make it easier for businesses to bring their new products to market quickly, safely, and responsibly.

The pilot scheme, set to launch next year, will provide tailored support to businesses across various sectors, including innovative technologies such as AI. By bringing together different regulators involved in overseeing AI and digital technologies, the streamlined service will offer coordinated advice and guidance to businesses, helping them navigate regulatory requirements.

The initiative is part of the government’s commitment to keep pace with the rapid evolution of digital technologies while ensuring safety and responsible innovation. Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan emphasized the importance of supporting businesses in complying with rules and regulations around emerging technologies while avoiding stifling their innovative potential.

The advisory service will be run the Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum (DRCF), comprising organizations such as the Information Commissioner’s Office, Ofcom, and the Financial Conduct Authority. The pilot scheme will assess industry take-up, service feasibility, and interaction with innovators over the course of a year.

The announcement aligns with previous commitments made in the government’s AI Regulation white paper, including the establishment of a central AI risk function within the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). This function will identify, measure, and monitor existing and emerging AI risks, focusing on regulatory risks associated with foundation models and frontier AI.

The UK government is also collaborating with regulators to address the cross-cutting nature of AI and its impact on various sectors. Regulators such as the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and the Office for Nuclear Regulation have already begun work on regulating AI technology.

This new advisory service complements the multiple regulator sandbox, which allows organizations to work with regulators to understand how their products comply with different regulatory regimes. It reflects the government’s recognition of the importance of AI innovations that have implications in multiple sectors.

The announcement of the advisory service coincides with the hosting of the first major global AI Safety Summit in the UK. The summit aims to bring together key countries, technology organizations, academia, and civil society to encourage international action for advancing safety in AI technology development.

Overall, the new advisory service and government initiatives demonstrate the UK’s commitment to fostering responsible innovation in AI and digital technologies, while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.

Sources:
– Article: [source article title]
– UK Government AI Regulation White Paper