It turns out that most people in the UK aren’t entirely comfortable with AI—at least not without some solid rules AI Regulation laws in place. A recent survey by the Ada Lovelace and Alan Turing Institutes found that nearly three-quarters (72%) of Brits would feel a lot better about AI if there were laws to regulate its use. And honestly, who can blame them? With AI advancing at lightning speed, the risks are becoming more and more apparent.
AI Regulation Concerns: What’s Worrying the Public?
From misinformation to financial scams, AI isn’t just a futuristic sci-fi concern—it’s already affecting people’s daily lives. In fact, two-thirds of those surveyed said they’ve personally experienced AI-related harms. We’ve recently made blogs on how AI is being used for scams and misinformation campaigns- e.g, political posts.
It’s no surprise, then, that many people believe the government (or at least a regulatory body) should have the power to stop AI products that could cause serious harm.
People want the ability to challenge AI-driven decisions. Around 65% said having a way to appeal an AI-based decision would make them more comfortable with the technology. Meanwhile, 61% want more transparency on how AI reaches its conclusions.
Despite growing public concern, the UK still doesn’t have a comprehensive AI regulation framework. The government has acknowledged the risks in its AI Opportunities Action Plan, but there aren’t any concrete steps to address them yet.
Global Regulation: A Growing Necessity
AI isn’t just a national issue—it’s a global one. In September 2024, a UN advisory body stressed the need for international collaboration on AI governance. They pointed out that AI’s building blocks—everything from training data to the minerals used in hardware—are sourced worldwide. AI’s reach is global, so naturally, regulation should be too.
The UN also raised a critical point: no one fully understands AI’s inner workings yet, not even those creating it. That means decision-makers often don’t know exactly what they’re deploying—or what the consequences might be. Combined with AI’s rapid evolution, its risks aren’t confined to any one country.
The UK government has promised to fund regulators to scale up their AI expertise, which could be a step in the right direction. But for AI to truly work for everyone, public voices need to be heard, and meaningful regulation needs to be put in place.
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