There’s a lot of talk right now about regulating AI. Much of it is driven by fear, uncertainty, and misunderstanding — not just about what AI is, but about where it’s heading.
But let’s be clear: this is still a technology in its infancy.
To impose heavy-handed regulation at such an early stage risks stifling innovation, discouraging open research, and blocking the experimentation that emerging tech industries rely on to build their future. It’s like trying to write the rulebook for flight before the Wright brothers have even taken off.
A restrictive regime would make it harder for British companies to compete with less regulated markets like the US or China — and that’s a real threat to our global standing.
The UK has a unique opportunity to lead in AI. We have world-class talent. We have companies eager to invest, innovate, and push boundaries — putting themselves, and the country, in the driver’s seat. This momentum can create jobs, attract investment, and build a thriving AI sector that secures our place as a tech powerhouse.
What could derail this? Well-meaning but premature regulation “for the good of society.”
Protective measures based on today’s prototypes — the earliest versions of what’s to come — are unlikely to anticipate future applications, and even less likely to solve the problems they aim to address in any lasting way.
Take the example of regulating AI for children. As a parent to two boys, aged 4 and 9, I understand the concerns around sourcing reliable information. Though from my experience large language models are often more consistent and less misleading than the some of the YouTube videos they watch.
We simply don’t know what the future holds. Imagine child-safe assistants, AI-powered school aides, or personal development tools that transform learning and growth. These innovations are just on the horizon — and early regulation could block them before they even begin.
Even indirect restrictions would make it harder for UK companies to attract investment and navigate ambiguous legislation — slowing progress and handing the advantage to others.
Let’s not hold ourselves back from one of the greatest opportunities this country has seen in decades. Instead, let’s champion the innovators, the builders, and the visionaries creating the future — and ensure the UK thrives as a global leader in AI.
AI and premature regulation
