Concerns are growing that the UK government is losing focus on the risks posed by artificial intelligence after plans for an AI safety law were abandoned during political turmoil. Andy Burnham’s government has prioritised domestic economic pressures and abolished the department leading the work, prompting fears that Britain is not acting quickly enough on a potentially existential threat.

Under the previous government, officials considered requiring leading AI companies to safety-test products before release and reviewed ministers’ powers to compel cooperation. The government also allocated £115m for an AI incident-response centre and a biosecurity programme, while Britain had helped convene international discussions involving the US, EU, Australia and China; however, AI minister Kanishka Narayan now works from the Cabinet Office without a dedicated department, a reorganisation criticised by experts and industry figures.