UK AI strategy fails to address equality concerns, regulator says

The UK’s Equal Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has expressed concern that the country’s current proposals for AI regulation fall short of protecting human rights.

“Proposals to regulate artificial intelligence fall short of what is needed to address risks to human rights and equality,” the watchdog group wrote in an open letter, arguing that the responsible and ethical use of AI has many benefits. pointed out that it could lead to Using AI increases the risk of exacerbating existing discrimination through algorithmic bias. ”

The EHRC has been conducting research with local governments to understand how they are adopting this technology and has published guidance for public bodies with particular reference to public sector equality obligations (PSED). said. PSED is an obligation of public authorities to consider how their policies and decisions affect those protected under the Equality Act.

Regulators said they have found some good practices regarding how local governments consider equality when purchasing and using AI, but they want to ensure that deployed AI systems do not lead to discrimination. He pointed out that there is still more that can be done.

“We also found a lack of transparency about how AI systems work, limiting the ability of local governments to consider the equality implications of such technologies,” the EHRC said. .

How does the UK government propose to regulate AI?

In a white paper outlining its policy on AI regulation, the UK government said it would not delegate responsibility for AI governance to a new single regulator, but instead the Health and Safety Administration, the Equality and Human Rights Commission and the Competition and Markets Authority. , devising unique approaches that best suit how AI is used in each field.

In the coming months, regulators could begin issuing practical guidance to organizations, distributing risk assessment templates, and setting out how to implement government principles on safety, security, and robustness. expected. Transparency and explainability. fairness. Accountability and Governance. and appeals and remedies.

The EHRC believes that while governments are committed to fostering responsible AI innovation, they must ensure that the regulatory bodies tasked with supporting the strategy are provided with sufficient funding and resources to effectively carry out their role. said there is.

“If new technologies are to innovate while keeping us safe, they need careful oversight. This includes oversight to ensure that it does so,” EHRC Chair Baroness Kishwar Faulkner said in a comment posted with the open letter.

“To meet this challenge, we need to strengthen our capacity and scale up our work as equality and human rights regulators. We cannot do that without government funding,” she said.

The threat of discrimination is AI’s biggest risk

The EHRC’s concern comes just weeks after European Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager argued that AI-induced discrimination poses greater risks to society than possible annihilation.

“probably [the risk of extinction] It might be, but I think it’s highly unlikely. I think the risk of AI is greater than people being discriminated against [against]they will not be seen for what they are,” Vestager said in an interview with the BBC earlier this month.

“If it’s a bank that’s using it to decide whether to get a mortgage, or if it’s your municipality’s social service, you want to make sure you’re not being discriminated against. [against] It’s because of your gender, skin color and zip code,” she said.