The King’s Speech took place today. This is a speech that is presented by the King but created by the Government and sets out the programme of legislation that it intends to carry out during the forthcoming Parliamentary session.
Today’s speech contained an ambitious 40-bill agenda, and its very clear theme was that of a ‘mission-led’ Government. It covered 'economic stability & growth', energy, borders and crime, breaking down 'barriers to opportunity', health, and 'national security and serving the country'.
While data was not explicitly mentioned in several of these bills, it is clear that the success of the Government’s agenda will hinge - in many cases - on trust, transparency, and high levels of accountability in data use. The ODI calls this responsible data stewardship, and we urge the new Government to make it a central consideration as it moves forward with its programme. Moreover, whether it is in cleaning up our waterways, improving transport, monitoring school admissions policies or evaluating community needs, high-quality data is essential. In many instances, the best form for this data is open data - available for anyone to access, use and share. The ODI stands ready to help deliver the commitments in today’s speech. This will require strategic and long-term investment in our country’s data and AI infrastructure and data skills.
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In particular, we were delighted to see the introduction of the Digital Information & Smart Data Bill. This newly announced data bill has dropped elements of the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill that we criticised - a clear sign that civil society organisations' concerns have been heeded. Even better news is that the plans for the new bill contain a clear focus on setting up new smart data schemes. These schemes allow the secure sharing of customers’ data upon their request, with authorised third-party providers. A similar initiative has already proved successful in the banking sector thanks to Open Banking, a smart data scheme that the ODI helped catalyse.
As members of the Government’s Smart Data Council - and with ODI colleagues working with industry partners on delivering the Smart Data Challenge Prize - we support improving smart data in the UK. In time, smart data schemes have the potential to boost innovation, improve services for consumers, spur competition, and are likely to strengthen the economy.
The King’s Speech also set out the Government’s intention to strengthen, secure and modernise the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). We previously wrote about our thoughts and concerns on the former Government’s plans for the ICO. At the ODI, we want the data and AI ecosystem to function effectively and safely, and in order for that to happen, regulators must be well-resourced and empowered to act independently.
The commitments in the King’s Speech are a positive step in the right direction, but the devil will be in the details of the bills outlined in the Speech. For example, the new data bill says there may be future 'targeted reforms to some data laws that will maintain high standards of protection but where there is currently a lack of clarity impeding the safe development of some new technologies'. Some already see this as an opportunity to reintroduce more controversial parts of the now fallen Data Protection and Digital Information Bill. However, it is high-quality data that will drive delivery and if the Government is going to deliver on its missions for the British people, the data infrastructure of the UK needs to be trusted and transparent, and more of us need the skills to make use of it. ODI colleagues have written about, and worked extensively in data literacy, and we have spoken previously about the need for improved levels of data literacy for policymakers and business leaders at the AI Fringe.
If we invest in building data skills, we can tackle a broad range of challenges, ensure that we can evaluate policies, and adapt them effectively and efficiently. Reducing NHS waiting times, improving public transport, and ensuring the safe deployment of cutting-edge AI across the economy all require a strong data ecosystem, and a population with deeper data skills than currently exist.
The Government, businesses & civil society can build a robust & ethical data-driven future for the benefit of Britain by working together. Our manifesto emphasised the importance of empowering and enabling independent and trusted organisations to strengthen the data and AI ecosystem. Different parts of the ecosystem bring different perspectives, different strengths, and different levels of expertise. The UK has a huge strength in terms of civil society, academia and research as well as business. We urge the Government to recognise these strengths, pull people together and leverage every part of the ecosystem - for the good of society and the economy.
During the General Election campaign, Labour announced in its manifesto a commitment to regulating powerful AI models. We've been writing a series of data-centric AI policy papers based on six months of extensive research and believe it is of the utmost importance that we regulate AI models appropriately and effectively. No AI Bill was mentioned in today’s King’s Speech, but AI was referenced in ‘snippets’ about other bills.
The ODI has spoken extensively on AI, including at the AI Fringe, about how we can strengthen the data and AI ecosystem, tackle the potential harms from AI while leveraging the benefits, and what we'd like to see legislated by this new Government. We hope to see more about an AI Bill—and sooner rather than later. People, especially marginalised communities, are already experiencing the harm that can be caused by biased and incomplete datasets. Real accountability and redress are needed.
As we've repeatedly argued, there is no AI without data, so data and AI legislation must be cohesive and recognise that any approach to AI must be data-centric. Strengthening the AI ecosystem requires strengthening the data ecosystem - they are one and the same!
The Government’s recent manifesto also announced plans to create a National Data Library “to bring together existing research programmes and help deliver data-driven public services, whilst maintaining strong safeguards and ensuring all of the public benefit." Our Executive Chair, Sir Nigel Shadbolt’s positive reaction to this commitment was that “a national data library is a great opportunity to unlock insights for all our benefits. With open standards & open minds, we can build platforms, services, & ways of working to realise the social & econ value in health, education & other public data”. We anticipate further announcements on the National Data Library and will share more of our views when the details are confirmed.
We look forward to working constructively with the Government, other civil society organisations, big and small tech - and other stakeholders - on building a thriving data ecosystem, and with it, a thriving AI ecosystem that benefits people, the environment and the economy.
