Introduction
On 4 April 2024, the Center for AI and Digital Policy (CAIDP) published its 2023 AI Index, covering 80 countries. The report reviews countries’ individual reports and ratings and includes updated metrics, bringing more granularity in the assessment of the implementation of the 2021 UNESCO Recommendation on AI Ethics and including the 2023 Global Privacy Assembly Resolution on Generative AI.
It is particularly exciting to see the UK moving up to Tier 1 and ranking 4th in the updated index.
Purpose and scope of the index
As stated in the report, the Artificial Intelligence and Democratic Values (AIDV) is the first global survey to assess progress towards trustworthy AI based on detailed narrative reports, combined with a methodology that produces ratings and rankings for national AI policies and practices. The stated objectives of the index are:
- to document AI policies and practices, based on publicly available sources;
- to establish a methodology for the evaluation of AI policies and practices, based on global norms;
- to provide a basis for comparative evaluation;
- to provide the basis for future evaluations; and
- to ultimately encourage all countries to make real the promise of AI that is trustworthy, human-centric and provides broad social benefit to all.
AIDV focuses on human rights, rule of law and democratic governance metrics. Primary metrics include endorsement and implementation of the OECD/G20 AI Principles and the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence. Additional metrics include opportunities for the public to participate in the formation of national AI policy, the adoption of the right to algorithmic transparency and creation of independent agencies to address AI challenges.
UK country report highlights
The ratings are based on individual countries’ reports and it is insightful to take a closer look at the UK’s individual report.
The foundations of the UK’s high performance are laid in the UK’s national AI strategy and its implementation so far. The report notes that in September 2021, the UK launched its first National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy, setting out a ten-year plan with the vision “to remain an AI and science superpower fit for the next decade”. The UK AI Strategy has three main pillars:
- investing and planning for the long-term requirements of the UK’s AI ecosystem;
- supporting the transition to an AI-enabled economy across all sectors and regions of the UK; and
- ensuring that the UK gets the national and international governance of AI technologies right in order to encourage innovation and investment and protect the public and the country’s fundamental values.
In July 2022, the UK government published the AI Regulation Policy Paper and the UK AI Action Plan. The former sets out the government’s intention to develop context-specific, pro-innovation and risk-based, coherent, proportionate and adaptable regulation. The latter provides an update on progress that had been made regarding the three pillars of focus mentioned within the original National AI Strategy.
Further noted is the creation of a dedicated Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) in February 2023, housing the Office for Artificial Intelligence.
The Spring Budget delivered in March 2023 pledged almost £3.5 billion “to support the government’s ambitions to make the UK a scientific and technologic superpower”. The DSIT followed with a statement reiterating the government’s intention to provide “a new approach to AI regulation, focusing on the applications of AI rather than setting rigid rules for products with an AI component”.
Other factors considered in the report include, among others:
- public participation in the development of a national AI policy, fostered by the established practice in the UK of making draft policies available to the public for consultation, with findings made accessible to the public;
- the UK’s data protection legislation, namely the 2018 Data Protection Act and the UK GDPR;
- the UK’s leading position in establishing algorithmic transparency standards;
- implementation of the OECD/G20 AI Principles – the UK is a member of the OECD and the G20 and therefore should adhere to these principles. The OECD/G20 AI Principles are, however, not referred to in the UK’s National AI Strategy and the report finds no evidence of implementation in 2022; and
- the endorsement by the UK of the 2021 UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI.
In November 2023, the UK convened the first AI Safety Summit and endorsed the Bletchley Declaration, committing to participate in international co-operation efforts on AI “to promote inclusive economic growth, sustainable development and innovation, to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms, and to foster public trust and confidence in AI systems to fully realise their potential”. Endorsing parties affirmed that for the good of all, AI should be designed, developed, deployed and used in a manner that is safe, in such a way as to be human-centric, trustworthy and responsible.
The report concludes that, post-Brexit, the UK has shifted from a legislative approach based on rights and obligations for a regulatory approach to AI, guided by ethical standards and cross-ministerial co-ordination. The resilience of the UK AI policy framework will, however, be as good as the virtues and merits of its oversight mechanisms.
Impact on companies operating in the UK technology sector
The UK’s high rating and the underlying country report clearly demonstrate that the UK has not only put the development of an AI ecosystem at the forefront of its national strategy, but has also pledged significant investment in the sector, supported by high-quality, targeted, adaptable and pro-innovation regulation.
The UK’s existing legislation and practices ensuring public participation, transparency and accountability; the government’s pioneering approach to development of algorithmic transparency standards; and the UK’s participation in the development and endorsement of international standards and recommendations aim to ensure that the UK’s ecosystem promotes trustworthy and ethical AI.
These factors are likely to create a nurturing environment in the UK for ethical AI-based innovation, sustainable for some years to come, which in turn is very encouraging for companies operating in this sector in the UK.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss this article further, please contact Orit Rioumine Gold, Tim Wright or Nathan Evans.
