King’s Speech: What the new AI Legislation means for the tech landscape

The King’s Speech took place today, announcing 40 bills intending to “take the brakes off Britain.”

This included a path to AI legislation being officially announced.

David Shepherd, Senior Vice President of EMEA, Ivanti said, “The announcement of intentions to establish AI legislation is a positive step, but the details are what will matter.

“For regulations to truly succeed, and foster innovation while ensuring safety, clear, transparent, and globally consistent guardrails are crucial. Especially when it comes to protecting workers – one of the new Labour government’s key focuses.

“While regulation can’t be rushed, timely action is essential. Delays could lead to a rise in AI bias and ethical issues like potential job losses, a concern the new government clearly wants to address. In fact, existing anxieties have been high for a while, with Ivanti’s research revealing that 63% of IT workers and 44% of office workers fear Generative AI could replace them within five years.

“As Labour’s plans unfold, concrete regulatory details will be essential. To ensure no group is disproportionately impacted, the development process must embrace diverse viewpoints to ensure AI is set up for businesses and employees to thrive harmoniously. This commitment will be critical for the AI Bill’s success, and, ultimately, the safety of employees and overall business success.”