UPDATE — AUGUST 2025: Since the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change published its 2024 report “Getting the UK’s Legislative Strategy for AI Right,” the UK’s AI governance landscape has shifted significantly. The call for a comprehensive legislative strategy is now being echoed in Parliament, regulators, and international forums.
In March 2025, the Artificial Intelligence (Regulation) Bill was reintroduced in Parliament after the general election. The proposal, while still a private members’ bill, reflects growing momentum for statutory regulation. It would establish a central AI Authority, mandate impact assessments, create regulatory sandboxes, and require organizations to appoint AI officers. This marks a sharp turn away from the government’s earlier reliance on sector-specific regulators and voluntary commitments, and it aligns more closely with the risk-based model of the EU AI Act.
Meanwhile, the AI Safety Institute (AISI) underwent a transformation in February 2025, rebranding as the AI Security Institute. Its expanded mandate includes frontier AI risk evaluation in national security and defense contexts, signaling closer ties to the Ministry of Defence. While this move gives the UK a sharper security lens on AI governance, civil society groups have raised concerns that it could compromise the independent, research-focused role originally envisioned. Broader regulatory initiatives are also underway. In January 2025, the government opened a copyright reform consultation to clarify how copyrighted materials can be used in AI training. This is a contentious issue for creators and developers alike, and its outcome is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping AI innovation in the UK.
ORIGINAL NEWS STORY:
Tony Blair Institute Urges Comprehensive AI Legislation to Balance Innovation and Public Safety in the UK
The Tony Blair Institute for Global Change released its report, “Getting the UK’s Legislative Strategy for AI Right,” calling for a single, comprehensive framework to govern artificial intelligence. The report warns that while AI is reshaping society, the UK must balance innovation with public safety. It urges lawmakers to create a legal structure that supports responsible development while addressing risks such as bias, misinformation, and privacy violations. The report argues that the government’s current sector-specific model leaves critical gaps. Many regulators lack the technical expertise and resources to handle AI risks effectively. The authors recommend expanding funding and training for regulators so they can manage AI systems with greater precision.
Focus on Frontier AI and Independent Oversight
The authors advocate for legislation that turns voluntary AI safety commitments into binding law. They propose an AI bill that would make safety pledges enforceable, create a central AI Authority, and establish innovation sandboxes for testing high-risk systems. The report also highlights the importance of frontier AI—advanced models that can outperform current systems. It calls for a proactive approach that enforces transparency, risk management, and capability assessments. The authors say these requirements would help mitigate potential threats to cybersecurity and privacy.
They also recommend making the AI Safety Institute (AISI) a statutory body. As an independent organization, AISI would conduct third-party assessments, promote international safety standards, and evaluate AI systems without acting as a regulator. Maintaining this independence, the report notes, would preserve trust and technical credibility.
Global Cooperation and Flexible Regulation
The report urges the UK to align its AI governance with international frameworks such as the EU AI Act and U.S. safety initiatives. Coordination, it says, will prevent regulatory fragmentation and strengthen AI safety across borders. It also encourages mutual recognition agreements between countries so that AI systems approved in one jurisdiction are recognized in others. This would reduce duplication and speed up innovation while maintaining safety standards. Finally, the authors recommend that Parliament adopt flexible, adaptive legislation that evolves alongside technology. Such an approach would increase public confidence in the government’s ability to manage AI responsibly and ensure that innovation continues to thrive in the UK.
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Keeping track of the growing AI regulatory landscape can be challenging. For guidance, contact BABL AI. Their Audit Experts can offer valuable insight, and ensure you’re informed and compliant.
