UK Government Delays AI Bill Until Summer
The UK government has postponed the release of its AI Bill until at least the summer, following the example set by the EU AI Act, which took effect last year. This legislation was expected to introduce new regulations for artificial intelligence, including a requirement for companies to submit their AI models for testing at the UK’s AI Security Institute.
Originally, the bill was anticipated soon after the government took office in July, aiming to address concerns over AI’s potential risks—whether from existential threats or misuse by malicious actors. However, delays have continued due to concerns about potential pushback from the new US administration.
Uncertainty and Economic Concerns
A senior Labour Party insider told The Guardian that no concrete proposals for the legislation currently exist. Another source, however, claimed that a draft of the bill had been prepared before Christmas but was put on hold over fears that it might discourage AI research and investment in the UK.
The hesitation stems from broader economic concerns. The UK already faces higher energy costs and carbon taxes than other regions, making it more expensive to operate data centers compared to countries like the US. Despite this, the government has been actively promoting AI and the data center sector, designating it as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) alongside essential services like energy and water. Additionally, plans for AI Growth Zones have been introduced to streamline the construction and operation of AI-optimised data centers.
Intellectual Property and Data Privacy Controversies
At the same time, the government is facing opposition over its approach to AI and intellectual property. A proposed policy allowing AI developers to use copyrighted materials for training their models has sparked backlash from the Daily Mailand the Make It Fair campaign, which is supported by organisations like the Creative Rights in AI Coalition and the News Media Association. Critics argue that permitting AI systems to process copyrighted content—whether online or offline—would harm the UK’s publishing and creative industries while benefiting major US tech companies. A public consultation on this matter closes today.
The delay in AI regulation follows recent controversy over Apple’s decision to weaken end-to-end encryption for UK users due to government pressure. The move was prompted by an order issued under the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (IPA), which demanded that Apple provide access to encrypted content stored in iCloud. Since the company’s encryption system prevents even Apple itself from accessing this data, it opted to roll back the security measures for UK users rather than compromise encryption standards globally.
Balancing Innovation and Regulation
With AI regulation, data privacy, and intellectual property rights under the spotlight, the government faces growing pressure to balance technological innovation with public and industry concerns. Whether the AI Bill will materialise this summer—and in what form—remains to be seen.
