AI and Online Harms: what does the Government’s White Paper mean for the industry?

Earlier this month the Government released the much-anticipated Online Harms White Paper. Jointly authored by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport and the Home Office, the Paper sets out the Government’s proposals to address harms ranging from terrorism and child sexual exploitation to disinformation and harassment. It proposes fundamental change to internet regulation in the UK. The report suggests that AI, along with other technologies, may be both a source of the problem and a part of the answer. As Culture Secretary Jeremy Wright put it at the launch, “Just as technology has created the challenges we are addressing here, technology will provide many of the solutions.” The White Paper suggests challenges ahead for the AI industry, as a push for ‘transparency’ may see operators asked to explain how their algorithms function. But there may also be opportunities on the horizon.