British Government Unveils Seven Principles for AI

The Competition and Markets Authority of the United Kingdom (CMA) has laid out seven fundamental principles for companies involved in the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems. The corresponding document has been published on the official government portal of the United Kingdom.

CMA formulated these principles after an extensive examination of AI development issues and consultations with consumers, leading developers such as Google, Meta, OpenAI, Microsoft, Nvidia, Anthropic, and scientists.

The agency asserts that these principles are essential to ensure competitive conditions and prevent the use of low-performing AI systems. This comes at a time when governments worldwide are recognizing the need for special attention and regulation in the AI field.

The key principles that companies are expected to adhere to include:

1. Accountability: Developers and implementers of AI technologies are responsible for the outcomes delivered to consumers.

2. Accessibility: Providing continuous and unrestricted access to essential AI resources.

3. Diversity: Ensuring a variety of business models, including open and closed approaches.

4. Choice: Offering sufficient options for enterprises to decide how to utilize fundamental AI models.

5. Flexibility: Allowing the transition to and/or the use of multiple foundational AI models as needed.

6. Fair Competition: Avoiding anti-competitive behaviors, including self-preferencing, bundling, or consolidation.

7. Transparency: Furnishing consumers and businesses with information about the risks and limitations of generated AI content, enabling informed decisions.

While CMA acknowledges that AI regulation can raise concerns related to copyright, confidentiality, and data protection, its focus remains on competitiveness and consumer protection to address the current challenges in technology development.

"The pace at which artificial intelligence is becoming part of people's everyday lives and business is staggering. This technology has the potential to significantly enhance productivity and simplify millions of daily tasks, but we cannot take its positive future for granted. There is a real risk that the development of AI could undermine consumer trust or become dominated by a few players with market power, hindering the realization of all the benefits this technology can bring to the economy," said Sarah Cardell, Chief Executive of CMA.

Governments around the world are actively exploring various approaches to AI regulation. For instance, the European Union is setting transparency requirements for companies in its proposed Artificial Intelligence Act. China has also introduced rules requiring companies to register with the government and commit to not using anti-competitive algorithms. Meanwhile, efforts to regulate AI in the United States are ongoing, with some policymakers hoping to enact relevant rules by the end of this year.