UK government urges action on copyright and market competition in the field of AI.

The British government’s response to a report by the parliamentary on artificial intelligence (AI) has led to a call for increased intervention. The report, released by the House of Lords in February, focused on generative AI and large language models, and highlighted the government’s emphasis on high-stakes AI safety, which could hinder international competition. In light of the report, Michelle Donelan, the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Technology, clarified that the government’s oversight of AI aligns with most of the parliamentary recommendations. However, on May 2, Baroness Stowell of Beeston, a member of the House of Lords, urged the UK government to go beyond its current stance on copyright infringement and market competition in AI. As the chair of the House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee, Stowell emphasized the need for updated copyright laws and expressed disappointment in the government’s lack of commitment to enhanced governance measures for AI standards and policy decisions. She also called for policy discussions on market competition oversight. The government’s response to the parliament reflects a newfound acceptance of regulatory reforms for AI. In a related matter, the UK’s National Crime Agency and police have been granted the authority to seize, freeze, and destroy cryptocurrencies linked to criminal activities without making formal arrests. Home Secretary James Cleverly stated that criminals should not profit from illegal actions, citing crypto fundraising by groups as the reason behind the new police powers. These regulations were implemented after the passage of a crime bill by the UK parliament in 2023, which facilitated the swift seizure of cryptocurrency. In the crypto world, there is ongoing debate about whether memecoins are a betrayal of the ideals of cryptocurrency or if they serve their true purpose.