Conservative peer urges government not to limit open source AI

In a House of Lords debate focusing on large language models and generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), Tina Stowell, chair of the Lords Communications and Digital Select Committee, emphasized the importance of a UK AI strategy that prioritizes supporting commercial opportunities, academic research, and spin-outs.

“As the government considers AI legislation, it must steer clear of policies that hinder open source AI development or exclude innovative smaller players,” she advised.

In September, the committee initiated an inquiry into the UK’s potential for scaling up technology in the creative industries and AI, with a specific focus on the obstacles faced by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in scaling up in these sectors.

Stowell pointed out that while predicting the future of AI development is challenging, certain trends are becoming more apparent. “The trend towards consolidation at the top of the market suggests a growing concentration of power among a few large tech firms. Simultaneously, we are likely to witness a significant expansion of applications built on top of these firms – an area where the UK can excel,” she noted.

Stowell also highlighted the potential role of open source in AI development. “I believe open source AI development is crucial in ensuring that we can support and preserve competition and economic vitality. We must ensure that the UK’s approach to AI is well-balanced and leverages our strengths. While we must address risks, we must also avoid unintentionally stifling innovation in the process,” she added.

Delving deeper into the UK’s role in AI regulation, Stowell urged policymakers to carve out a distinct path for the UK in AI regulation. “We can draw insights from, but should not blindly replicate, the approaches taken by the EU, US, and China. This involves focusing on talent, computing power, establishing standards that instill confidence in businesses to innovate, advocating for responsible practices, managing significant risks, and ensuring that we can benefit from a diverse range of AI development approaches,” she stated.

Stowell underscored the importance of approaching AI regulation with caution and nuance, emphasizing the need for the correct focus. “The EU’s example demonstrates that we must not rush into regulation – particularly given the complexities surrounding liability and anti-competitive practices,” she cautioned.

She also stressed the significance of ensuring that smaller organizations contribute to policy discussions. “I encourage everyone to engage with the work of Parliamentary committees and to participate in industry groups and government consultations. This is a technology that will impact us all, so involving more stakeholders will lead to better and more informed outcomes for all,” she urged.

Stowell, along with University of Cambridge professor Neil Lawrence and Stability AI, has been nominated for the OpenUK award recognizing achievements in artificial intelligence.