by Professor Alan Brown

Research Director, DPA

The UK’s latest Spending Review marks a bold turning point in AI policy, with £2 billion earmarked for AI development and major investments across research, infrastructure, and public services. While this signals strong ambition for digital sovereignty and transformation, Professor Alan Brown cautions that without equal focus on ethics, oversight, and public engagement, the UK risks prioritizing speed over responsibility in its AI journey.

Hosted by Lord Lansley
Chaired by Tim Cowen, Preiskel & Co LLP

Our speakers included Tim Cowen, Chair of the Antitrust Practice at Preiskel & Co, introduced other event speakers with reflections on the importance of protecting competition in digital markets. Rt Hon Lord Lansley CBE, who has been consistently active towards the implementation in the UK of competition policy. Lord Bellamy KC, the first President of the Competition Appeal Tribunal, produced Bellamy & Child’s European Union Law of Competition.

Ofcom plans for Implementing the Online Safety Act were outlined in a presentation provided. The Online Safety Act Network aims to keep all those with an interest in the successful implementation of the Online Safety Act engaged and connected. There could be a balance between pursuit of aims to reduce cost of implementation for providers of online services and to reduce harm to vulnerable groups such as children. For introduction of mandatory measures, Ofcom would need more information to provide the necessary evidence.