Law Society makes regulation recommendations ahead of AI Safety Summit

Ahead of the AI Safety Summit 2023 (1-2 November), the Law Society of England and Wales has made artificial intelligence (AI) regulation recommendations for the government to consider.

The recommendations, made in response to the government’s white paper on regulation, include:

• • The expertise of the legal profession should be recognised and harnessed in the AI regulatory approach.
  • Legal professional privilege must be protected in the future regulation of AI.
  • The UK government should take a balanced approach to regulation to safeguard social interests while not impeding technological progression.
  • Legislation should establish parameters where the use of AI is unacceptable or where it is inappropriate for AI to make zero-sum decisions.
  • The UK government should set out a definition for ‘meaningful human intervention’ in AI.
  • Organisations should appoint an AI Officer when needed.
  • Mandatory transparency is needed for the use of AI in government or public services and establishing a due diligence system to boost public trust (see the government policy paper, launched in March).

The Law Society president Nick Emmerson said:

“As the government prepares for its summit on AI, we are working with our members to show the benefits of AI for the legal profession.

“The legal profession plays an integral role in shaping the future of AI regulation.

“We recognise AI’s potential to transform lives, boost the economy and increase access to justice.

“However, our members need further clarity on legislation, procurement practices and how discrepancies across sectors will be mitigated to enable the profession to make the most of these technologies.”

The Law Society’s full response to the consultation can be found here.

Kindly shared by The Law Society of England and Wales