Navigating the challenges of AI governance: insights from the House of Commons Science, Innovation and Technology Committee

Understanding the urgency

The rapid advancement of AI technology has prompted a need for comprehensive governance, and the Government is currently considering its policy in this area. The House of Commons Science, Innovation and Technology Committee's report underlines the significance of keeping pace with AI development and assessing the Government's response in comparison to global standards. It identifies the following challenges and conclusions on AI governance:

• AI systems can introduce or perpetuate biases, which pose serious ethical and societal concerns
• the misuse of personal information through AI-powered applications raises concerns about data protection
• AI's capacity to generate misleading content demands vigilance against misinformation
• the concentration of large datasets in the hands of a few organisations creates a potential monopoly over AI resources
• significant computational power requirements restrict AI accessibility
• the lack of explainability in AI systems challenges transparency
• requiring AI code to be openly available can promote transparency and accountability
• protecting the intellectual property rights of content creators when AI models utilise proprietary materials is essential;
• evaluating whether AI providers should be held liable for harm caused by their models
• managing the disruption to employment opportunities caused by AI is crucial for a just transition
• effective AI governance must be a global endeavour involving international collaboration
• safeguarding national security through AI governance is of paramount importance

The report calls on the Government to confirm whether it intends to introduce AI-specific legislation, including a legal requirement for regulators to adhere to the AI white paper principles.

While some regulators are already engaged in AI considerations within their respective domains, the report recognises the potential need for a central coordinating function. It recommends conducting a gap analysis of UK regulators to assess their resources, capacity, and whether they require new powers to enforce AI white paper principles effectively.

The Government's response to this report is anticipated by 31 October 31 2023. The inquiry remains ongoing, with a further report expected in due course.

Best practice

The development of AI continues to gather pace. From an employment perspective, organisations may wish to consider setting out a policy to govern the use of AI by the workforce.  We have developed a generative AI policy for employers.  Please contact us if you would like to have sight of the policy or to discuss your requirements more broadly.

If you have any questions, please contact Ellen Netto in our Employment team on 0117 314 5377, or complete the form below.