UK Postpones AI Regulation Plans

Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning,
Geo Focus: The United Kingdom,
Geo-Specific

Concerns Over Regulation Impacting Innovation

Akshaya Asokan (asokan_akshaya) •
February 25, 2025

The British Labour Government has reportedly postponed its proposal for a draft bill on artificial intelligence due to worries that strict regulations might hinder the UK’s potential for growth in the AI sector.

According to three unnamed Labour ministers cited by The Guardian, the presentation of a draft bill on AI has been rescheduled for the summer. Implementing enforceable regulations was a significant aspect highlighted by Prime Minister Keir Starmer during his inaugural King’s Speech after his party’s election victory in July 2024.

Despite plans for an initial release of the bill in December 2024, sources indicate that there are currently “no concrete proposals” regarding the legislation. Several British lawmakers express concerns that excessive regulation could compromise the UK’s relationship with the United States and diminish its appeal to AI companies.

A representative from the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology stated that the government remains “dedicated to advancing legislation.” They added, “We are actively engaging to refine our proposals and will initiate a public consultation soon to ensure our approach is well-suited for this rapidly evolving technology.”

Since taking office, U.S. President Donald Trump has reversed an executive order from his predecessor that aimed to impose safety measures on the rollout of advanced AI models, critiquing Europe for overregulation of technology.

Similar to the United States, the United Kingdom has adopted a decentralized strategy for AI governance, relying on existing laws regarding data protection, consumer rights, and product safety to safeguard the public. Recently, the Labour government has suggested policies to permit the use of copyrighted materials in AI training on an opt-out basis and proposed the establishment of a national data library for copyright-cleared training data. Notably, the U.K.’s AI Safety Institute was recently rebranded as the AI Security Institute, signaling a shift in the government’s AI strategies.