What Will The Next UK Government Do About Regulating And Supporting AI?

What approach is taken to artificial intelligence in the manifestos of the two main parties?

While there is a great deal of discussion on "What to do about AI" at national and international levels, the UK has so far taken a very light touch and simply asked existing regulators to develop an AI strategy based on their existing powers, shaped by non-statutory "high level principles".

We review the manifestos and statements of the two major parties fighting to win, to see whether we should expect change after the general election on 4 July.

No overarching AI regulation

The Science, Innovation and Technology Committee's report on AI Governance (published shortly before the last Parliament was dissolved) urged the next government to complete the gap analysis of current regulatory coverage of AI, and to implement findings as a priority. There is no reference to this work in the manifestos. There is also no sign that either the Conservative or Labour parties are