UK Online Safety Act Inadequate Against Advanced Generative AI, Reveals Report
A recently published report has expressed concerns over the limitations of the UK’s Online Safety Act in dealing with the potential threat posed by sophisticated generative AI, particularly in the form of terrorist-influenced chatbots. The act, which came into effect within the last six months, is seen as inadequate in addressing the issue. According to the report, identifying individuals responsible for chatbot-generated statements that encourage terrorism or support proscribed organizations is challenging under existing legislation. As chatbots continue to evolve, experts are calling for new laws to counteract their potential misuse. The report also cites Elon Musk’s warning about the dangers of AI, emphasizing the need for proactive measures.
The Online Safety Act, passed by the UK Parliament in October 2023, has been hailed as groundbreaking legislation for child protection. It imposes strict penalties for non-compliance, particularly related to illegal content on social media platforms and metaverse platforms. Companies failing to adhere to the provisions may face heavy fines amounting to billions of pounds, while executives could potentially face imprisonment penalties.