Initiatives for AI research and regulation in the UK are receiving new funding as the British government "begun to grip the risks immediately."
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced on Monday that the government will invest more than £100 million ($125 million) to assist regulators and universities in assessing challenges that may arise from it.
Nearly £90 million ($112 million) will be allocated to nine research hubs across universities in the country, while £10 million ($12.5 million) will be given to regulatory commissions.
The remaining £19 million ($23.8 million) will be spent on the development of 21 learning machine projects the government announced earlier.
These efforts will be part of the Parliament's earlier promises to push for a "pro-business" approach in handling AI innovations in the country.
The initiative is separate from the unified AI rule the European Union, which the UK is no longer part of, aims to implement across the European bloc.
UK Government Pushes for Nationwide AI Regulation
The announcement came a few months after the UK launched its first institute dedicated to AI safety and held a global summit to raise awareness of the challenges it poses.
Among the primary speakers during the summit was Sunak who urged "like-minded governments and AI companies" to work together in establishing "world-leading AI safety institutes."
According to Sunak, these institutes will include capabilities to serve the public sector as it become more readily available for general consumption.
Parliament Endorses AI Innovations
So far, many members of the Parliament expressed support for Sunak's AI plans with Science and Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan highlighting AI's potential to "transform our public services and the economy for the better."
Donelan also brought up the technology's capabilities to help treat previously incurable diseases like cancer and dementia.
As of writing, the UK has only released a white paper outlining its rules and responsibilities on the technology and the industries it may affect.
No legislation on AI safety and general use has been issued yet. Sunak earlier said that the Parliament is not rushing to fully regulate AI for now.
