Response to government’s AI White Paper

The Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) has published a response to the consultation of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) on a proposed high level regulatory framework for and as regards the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in enterprises located in UK. To recall, the framework would consist of a set of key principles, including principles on AI fairness, AI transparency, AI safety and security, AI accountability, and AI contestability and redress which would then be transposed by individual regulators such as the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) into adequate supervisory rules.
In its response paper, the CMA commends the DSIT on its consultation and expresses its full support for the proposed approach to regulation, which involves utilizing existing regulatory systems while establishing a central coordination function. The CMA believes this approach will enable „context-specific“ regulation that promotes innovation, is „proportionate, trustworthy, adaptable, clear, and collaborative“.
In its statement, the CMA specifically emphasizes that
– it fully supports the government’s decision to initially place the principles on a non-statutory basis as it is important to first evaluate the effectiveness of such, before moving on to making them statutory and thus mandatory.
– it is eager to receive more guidance from the DSIT as to the application of the principles within the regulator’s remit. In the meantime, the CMA has begun considering how the proposed principles apply to its own current and future responsibilities and looks forward to discussing this further with the government.
– it fully supports the DSIT’s intention to align the principles with the OECD’s AI Principles.
– it recognizes the importance of a central coordination function to support the implementation, monitoring, and development of the framework.
– it also fully supports the DSIT’s intention to avoid duplicating regulatory work and encourage utilizing existing institutions‘ expertise.
– it also supports cross-regulatory coordination and coherence, particularly through the Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum (DRCF). In this context, the CMA particularly notes its full support to implement a cross-sector and cross-regulatory sandbox so as to permit and foster ongoing innovation in AI in UK.