UK-based policy think tank, Parliament Street, continues to make strides in artificial intelligence (AI) policy development with the recent appointment of Steven George-Hilley as its Director of Artificial Intelligence. This move comes at a critical time when industry stakeholders and regulatory bodies are being encouraged to fast-track the delivery plan for the UK’s AI sector, as part of the government’s broader industrial strategy. This noteworthy development was first reported here.
UK Government’s Investment in AI
The UK government recognises AI as a significant driver of cost savings and economic growth. This recognition has led to the recent launch of an AI Assurance Innovation Fund worth £11 million. The fund aims to facilitate the development of innovative AI assurance tools to future-proof the market and ensure the UK’s readiness to respond to rapid advancements in AI capabilities.
Furthermore, to boost the regulator capability in AI and expedite the safe and secure commercialisation of the technology, an additional £2.7 million has been allocated to organisations like the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
Steven George-Hilley’s Role in Parliament Street
Steven George-Hilley, the founder and CEO of Centropy PR, a communications firm, will now lead Parliament Street’s cross-party policy development on AI deployment. His responsibilities will include chairing discussions in the House of Lords and liaising with ministers, regulators, and policy officials regarding the latest AI developments.
Parliament Street, first launched in 2012, specialises in connecting businesses with policymakers. The think tank operates impartially, organising debates, events, and discussions in the Houses of Parliament and the House of Lords.
George-Hilley’s Prior Experience
George-Hilley initially joined Parliament Street as Technology Director in 2013. Since then, he has led key political liaison programmes, collaborating with ministers from both the Labour and Conservative parties to develop best practices for key technologies, including analytics, AI, and quantum computing.
UK Government’s Blueprint for AI Regulation
The UK government recently presented a blueprint for AI regulation that proposes relaxed rules for testing new AI products. This move aims to stimulate growth and innovation in various sectors, including healthcare and housebuilding.
The blueprint, unveiled by the UK’s technology secretary Liz Kendall on 21 October, proposes an AI Growth Lab. This would allow companies and innovators to test AI tools in real-world conditions. The government plans to set up these new testing environments for key economic sectors, including healthcare, transport, and advanced manufacturing with robotics.
Comments on the New Appointment
Patrick Sullivan, Chairman of Parliament Street, expressed his approval of George-Hilley’s appointment, stating that he is proud to appoint him to this newly created role. He emphasised that with AI set to revolutionise the business community, it was crucial to have someone with George-Hilley’s experience and expertise leading the way.
George-Hilley expressed his excitement for his new role, acknowledging the potential of AI to transform public services and save billions of pounds. However, he also highlighted the challenges that come with the technology, such as security, privacy, and ethical usage. He concluded by reinforcing Parliament Street’s commitment to bridge the gap between private businesses and the public sector, enabling the UK to become the epicentre of ethical and effective AI deployment.
