Since the pandemic, we have certainly seen a surge in digital and tech innovation. Perhaps unsurprisingly, this has translated into new demands on public affairs professionals as new regulations are rolled out in line with tech developments. Digital transformation certainly makes it easier to capture and share vital data across multiple industries, but the wealth of policy and legislation that needs to be navigated globally presents a real challenge – particularly where tech is being used across borders.

Public affairs professionals have to work through a range of legislation amendments being pushed through Parliament to ensure corporate regulations remain relevant in a tech-enabled world, which is why, in our latest blog, we take a look at the latest developments in the world of technology and public affairs.

UK – a premier tech centre

Technology is one of the fastest growing sectors in the UK economy and, according to the latest Tech Nation report, the country is one of the world’s premier centres for investment into tech of all kinds, despite the drawbacks of Brexit and Covid-19. However, as a result, the Government has had to tackle various digital issues, such as the UK’s data and privacy regime, social media regulations and cyber security threats – to name just a few. The risks of simply leaving the tech environment unregulated are significant, which is why it has been so important for the Government to take control and shape policies and regulations in a way that not only protects the country’s citizens, but also nurtures the long-term growth of the UK’s tech sector.

Artificial Intelligence

The UK is home to a thriving artificial intelligence sector, and is third in the world for private investment in AI companies ($4.65 billion). The specialism seems set for solid growth in the years to come, with a 2022 report by Capital Economics predicting that more than 1.3 million UK businesses will be using artificial intelligence and investing over £200 billion in this technology by 2040.

At a time when artificial intelligence is being increasingly utilised, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has published a policy paper outlining the regulations for organisations that are already using or wish to use artificial intelligence. Using AI correctly has proven to be difficult for organisations and smaller businesses to navigate and previous approaches by regulators seem to have confused the rules, resulting in overlaps and inconsistencies. This has made it harder for firms and the public to have confidence in where AI is used.

According to UK Government Digital Minister, Damian Collins, the proposal is aimed to empower businesses, ensuring that citizens are protected as AI continues to evolve: “We want to make sure the UK has the right rules to empower businesses and protect people as AI and the use of data keeps changing the ways we live and work.” Collins adds “It is vital that our rules offer clarity to businesses, confidence to investors and boost public trust. Our flexible approach will help us shape the future of AI and cement our global position as a science and tech superpower.”

The core principles

This approach is intended to create proportionate and adaptable regulation so that the UK’s AI sector is able to continue on its trajectory of rapid growth. The proposal is based on six core principles that regulators, such as Ofcom and the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), must apply.

The core principles require developers and users to:

• Ensure that AI is used safely
• Ensure that AI is technically secure and functions as designed
• Make sure that AI is appropriately transparent and explainable
• Consider fairness
• Identify a legal person to be responsible for AI
• Clarify routes to redress or contestability

Technology in public affairs

The Government has invested more than £2.3 billion in AI since 2014 and has also announced new investment in the long-term needs of the sector, which includes funding for up to 2,000 new AI and data science scholarships as well as opening up new visa routes so the industry has the skills and talent to continue to thrive.

For public affairs and policy experts, digital transformation will only continue to drive regulatory changes in the immediate future, creating a wealth of new opportunities to evolve sector-wide regulation in the new world of work.

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