Despite earlier indications of introducing AI legislation this year, there’s been no sign of it, causing concern among MPs on the House of Commons Science, Innovation, and Technology Committee. This delay means the UK is likely to lack specific AI laws until at least 2025, potentially missing the opportunity to set global standards.
Starting in 2024, researchers in the United Kingdom can apply to Horizon Europe on equal terms with EU counterparts, marking the end of a three-year period of uncertainty.
Members of Parliament, who recently questioned UK’s Science and Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan, are particularly concerned about the country’s response to the rapid progress of artificial intelligence. The EU’s recent provisional agreement on the AI Act positions Brussels as a key player in shaping governance around this advancing technology.
Despite earlier indications of introducing AI legislation this year, there’s been no sign of it, causing concern among MPs on the House of Commons Science, Innovation, and Technology Committee. This delay means the UK is likely to lack specific AI laws until at least 2025, potentially missing the opportunity to set global standards.
Michelle Donelan, the UK’s Science and Technology Secretary, acknowledged the need for legislation on AI during a committee hearing on Dec. 13. She stressed the importance of timing, stating that rushing to legislate won’t be beneficial for anyone.
Stanford University AI report
The significance of the UK’s approach to AI is underscored by its leading position among European nations in terms of private investment, newly funded companies, and hosting a notable number of leading machine learning systems with Stanford University’s report earlier this year highlighting the UK’s prominence in these key metrics.
The UK is home to DeepMind, a globally renowned AI lab responsible for developing the recently unveiled Gemini system. Touted as even more powerful than OpenAI’s GPT-4, DeepMind, although based in the UK, is ultimately owned by Google and not an independent British company.
UK’s dual perspective on AI
The UK’s stance on AI appears to navigate a dual approach, simultaneously promoting a pro-innovation, light-touch regulatory environment while also hosting the world’s first AI safety summit.
At this summit, the UK urged nations to collectively recognize the potentially “catastrophic” risks associated with the technology.
Before MPs, Donelan showcased this dual perspective, praising the accomplishments of the safety summit while criticizing the EU’s “stifling” AI Act. Expressing concerns about stifling innovation, she highlighted the UK’s current plan, which involves assigning existing regulators the responsibility to oversee AI sector by sector, rather than establishing a dedicated oversight body.
Peter Kyle, the shadow technology minister for the opposition Labour party, has pledged a more expeditious regulatory approach. He cautioned that the UK is lagging behind the EU and the US in terms of AI governance and emphasized the need for swift action in this regulatory domain.
Visa fee increase in the UK
Despite the UK’s aspirations on the international stage, the surge in visa fees for researchers and students entering the country poses a risk to its global connections. In the upcoming year, work visa fees will increase by 15 percent, while student fees will see a significant 35 percent rise.
For instance, a settlement visa will cost £2,900, and immigrants will also face a 66 percent increase in the surcharge to support the health service, bringing it to £1,035. A 2021 Royal Society report highlighted that skilled worker visas in the UK are notably more expensive than those in comparable countries like Germany, France, Canada, and the US.
Necessity of free movement
Charles Hay, a member of the UK’s House of Lords, emphasized the “necessity” of “free movement of people where scientific research is concerned” during a session.
However, he noted that this imperative was being compromised by the Home Office, responsible for immigration and visa policy, which he referred to as a “problem child ministry.”
Shane McHugh, Head of International Partnerships at the Royal Academy of Engineering, acknowledged that certain aspects of the UK’s visa system complicate talent exchange.
AI boom in the UK
Recent data from the university admissions service UCAS reveals an unprecedented surge in interest among British school leavers pursuing computing courses at the university level.
Statistics show a remarkable 9.5 percent increase in applications to computing courses by 18-year-olds in the UK compared to the previous year, propelling it to the seventh most sought-after course among prospective students. This information comes from a press release featured on Yahoo News.
By the final application deadline on June 30, there were a staggering 94,870 applications from 18-year-olds for computing courses, signifying a substantial rise from 86,630 applications in the preceding year and 71,150 in 2021.
UCAS chief executive Clare Marchant attributes this upswing in computing applications to the rising fascination with artificial intelligence and the advancements in digital technology. The impact of AI chatbots, such as ChatGPT, has played a significant role in shaping students’ interest in this field.
UK first-ever Call for Evidence on Artificial Intelligence results
A United Kingdom study released in late November showed that education professionals, artificial intelligence technology specialists, and education technology specialists welcome the opportunities that the rise of AI is bringing to the education sector.
Results from the UK government’s first-ever Call for Evidence on Artificial Intelligence further revealed that some respondents are already integrating AI tools to streamline administrative tasks, develop subject-specific resources, and deliver personalized support for learners with special educational needs and disabilities.
The respondents of the UK report include educators from schools, colleges, and universities, as well as researchers from esteemed institutions like the Alan Turing Institute and Jisc.
