Funds are being allocated to establish nine new research hubs throughout the UK, alongside a collaboration with the US on responsible AI. Credit: RistoArnaudov/istock Amid growing concerns about the adverse effects of AI, the British government has announced a $125 million (£100 million) investment to support regulators and advance research and innovation in AI. Close to $113 million (£90 million) is being allocated to establish nine new research hubs throughout the UK, alongside a collaboration with the US on responsible AI. These hubs will bolster UK expertise in AI, applying the technology in the fields of healthcare, chemistry, and mathematics. “AI is moving fast, but we have shown that humans can move just as fast,” Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Technology, Michelle Donelan, said in a statement. “By taking an agile, sector-specific approach, we have begun to grip the risks immediately, which in turn is paving the way for the UK to become one of the first countries in the world to reap the benefits of AI safely.” The announcement comes as $12.5 million (£10 million) has been earmarked to equip regulators with the necessary training and skills to navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities presented by this critical technology. Many countries worldwide are grappling with the challenges of regulating AI without hindering growth and development. Some measures already in place The UK government’s statement further noted that some regulators have already initiated measures. For example, the Information Commissioner’s Office has revised its guidance to clarify the application of stringent data protection laws to AI systems that handle personal data, emphasizing the importance of fairness. Additionally, it has maintained its oversight role by enforcing compliance, including the issuance of enforcement notices to organizations. “However, the UK government wants to build on this by further equipping them for the age of AI as use of the technology ramps up,” the statement read. “The UK’s agile regulatory system will simultaneously allow regulators to respond rapidly to emerging risks while giving developers room to innovate and grow in the UK.” To enhance transparency and build trust among British businesses and the public, leading regulators, including Ofcom and the Competition and Markets Authority, have been instructed to outline their AI management approaches by April 30. The advantage of leveraging existing laws The UK is relying on its existing legal framework to regulate AI in areas that affect a lot of people, such as employment, pointed out Adam Leon Smith, an AI expert from BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT. However, even with “old-fashioned” AI, the country needs to balance the risks with the opportunities. “It is, therefore, right that the government moves to fund and empower those existing regulators with the tools they need to do their job,” Smith said. “We also need to remember that this future will be shaped by AI professionals. Managing the risk of AI and building public trust will be most effective when the people creating it are professionally registered and accountable to clear standards.” The government’s statement also contained comments from several major tech companies including Microsoft and Google, all of whom welcomed the latest steps taken. Related content brandpost Sponsored by Huawei Leading infrastructure to accelerate electric power intelligence By David Sun, Vice President of Huawei CEO of Electric Power Digitalization Business Unit, Huawei Apr 28, 2024 7 mins Energy Efficiency Huawei feature TransUnion transforms its business with IT On the heels of its Neustar acquisition, the consumer credit reporting agency seeks to give customers access to its troves of consumer data to fuel next-generation services through solutions platform OneTru. By Paula Rooney Apr 26, 2024 6 mins Financial Services Industry Digital Transformation Artificial Intelligence feature The 10 highest-paying industries for IT talent The tech industry isn’t the only hot spot for IT jobs, as there’s a growing demand for IT pros across every industry. These 10 verticals pay the most for IT roles, according to data from Dice. By Sarah K. White Apr 26, 2024 7 mins Salaries IT Jobs Careers brandpost Sponsored by Palo Alto Networks M&A action is gaining momentum, are your cloud security leaders prepared? Direct visibility is critical in M&A, and cloud-native application protection platforms (CNAPP) are ideal to provide this capability. By Amol Mathur, SVP & GM of Prisma Cloud, Palo Alto Networks Apr 25, 2024 4 mins Cloud Management PODCASTS VIDEOS RESOURCES EVENTS SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe