Question · UK Pro-Innovation AI
Does the UK have an AI law?
The UK has no general AI statute: existing regulators interpret five cross-sector principles within their own remits, backed by central coordination and the AI Security Institute.
01 / The answer
The short answer
No. The UK has no general AI statute. It follows the principles-based approach set out in the March 2023 White Paper and the February 2024 government response: existing regulators such as the ICO, FCA, CMA and Ofcom apply five principles to AI using their current powers. The July 2024 King's Speech said the government would seek legislation for developers of the most powerful AI models, but the King's Speech of 13 May 2026, which set the programme for the current session, listed no AI bill.
02 / The rule
What UK Pro-Innovation AI requires
The UK has no general AI statute: existing regulators interpret five cross-sector principles within their own remits, backed by central coordination and the AI Security Institute. The government has said it will legislate for the most powerful models when ready, but as of October 2026 no AI bill has been introduced.
- 01Regulators apply the principle of safety, security and robustness to AI in their sectors.
- 02Regulators apply appropriate transparency and explainability expectations.
- 03Regulators apply fairness, accountability and governance expectations using existing law.
- 04Regulators ensure routes for contestability and redress against harmful AI outcomes.
03 / Records
Records to keep
- 01Mapping of AI uses to the relevant sector regulator's guidance
- 02Data protection impact assessments covering AI processing
- 03Fairness and equality testing results for AI-assisted decisions
- 04Records of explanations and challenge routes offered to affected people
Optional evidence · where Planisphere fits
Keep a record anyone can check
When your team meets a duty, Planisphere can seal the event it reports as a receipt.
A disclosure shown, a review signed, a model change approved: the event your system reports.
The event becomes a sealed receipt, dated and attributed to whoever is signed in.
Paste the receipt into Verify. No account or key.
A record supports your compliance evidence process. It is not a legal finding or a certification. Systems that call Planisphere's gate API can also hold or refuse an action before it runs.
SOURCES
Go back to the source
UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (GOV.UK)
UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (GOV.UK)
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