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UK backs open-source AI developers with compute and mentoring

The UK government has announced new support for open-source AI developers, including computing resources, mentoring and a policy engagement channel for younger developers.

The measures were announced during London Tech Week by AI Minister Kanishka Narayan as part of a wider package covering open-source AI, data centre design and workplace robotics.

The new Open-Source AI Builder Fund will provide more than £500,000 worth of compute to selected projects from the Hack for Impact hackathon. The support will include 160,000 GPU-hours through the UK’s AI Research Resource, intended to help teams move from prototypes to operational AI tools.

The government also announced an Open-Source AI Builder Mentoring Scheme, which will pair hackathon winners with experts from the Incubator for Artificial Intelligence, the government’s in-house AI team. A new Open-Source AI Dev Board will give 10 UK-based developers under 30 a route to contribute to government discussions on how AI is used and developed.

The package also includes a government-backed Data Centre Design Challenge with the Royal Institute of British Architects, focused on improving the design, sustainability and local community value of data centres.

Separately, the Regulatory Innovation Office and the Health and Safety Executive will work with industry to develop guidance on the safe use of collaborative robots in workplaces.

Why does it matter?

The announcement shows how governments are trying to broaden participation in AI development beyond large commercial labs by supporting open-source builders with compute, mentoring and access to policy discussions. It also links AI policy to the physical and regulatory infrastructure around deployment, including data centres and workplace robotics. The package is not a major funding programme, but it signals the UK’s effort to shape domestic AI capacity through practical support and regulatory clarity.

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UK to issue guidance on smartphone and screen use for children

The Department for Education and Department of Health and Social Care have announced plans to publish guidance on mobile device use for children aged 5 to 16. The guidance, due to be published this autumn, aims to provide parents with practical advice on issues including screen time, social media use, sleep and smartphone habits.

A three-week call for evidence has been launched to help shape the guidance, supported by an independent expert group co-chaired by Children’s Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza and Professor Russell Viner. The review will also examine how children use screens in schools and at home.

The government said technology can support learning, creativity and inclusion, particularly for children with special educational needs and disabilities. It added that the guidance will focus on helping families make informed decisions about online safety rather than imposing blanket restrictions on technology use.

Alongside the guidance, the government plans additional measures relating to technology in education, including the possible introduction of safety certification for certain school technology products and the creation of an AI Youth Advisory Board.

Ministers are also considering measures such as app curfews, time limits and other tools aimed at improving children’s online safety. The announcement was made in the UK, where ministers said technology used in schools should be safe, effective and supported by evidence.

Why does it matter?

Governments around the world are increasingly examining the impact of smartphones, social media and digital platforms on children’s wellbeing, safety and development. While technology can provide educational and social benefits, concerns have grown over excessive screen time, online harms, sleep disruption and the effects of digital services on young people.

The UK’s approach reflects a broader policy trend towards evidence-based guidance and targeted safeguards rather than outright restrictions. The review may also influence future discussions on digital wellbeing, online safety, parental controls and the role of technology in education.

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UK launches £200 million initiative to accelerate AI adoption across the economy

The UK government has unveiled a nationwide initiative to accelerate AI adoption, announcing more than £200 million in funding to help businesses deploy AI technologies while strengthening workforce skills.

The announcement was made at the inaugural AI Adoption Summit, which brought together technology companies, trade unions and industry leaders to discuss the practical deployment of AI across the economy.

The programme includes a £100 million expansion of the Bridge AI scheme to connect businesses with AI solutions and expertise, alongside £53 million for new AI innovation and adoption initiatives. Additional funding will support AI Growth Zones, scholarships, workforce training and sector-specific programmes aimed at helping organisations adopt AI responsibly and effectively.

A key element of the initiative is the creation of the AI Economics Institute, chaired by Nobel Prize-winning economist Simon Johnson. The institute will examine how AI affects employment, productivity and economic growth.

More than 30 companies have also committed to sharing data and experiences related to workplace AI adoption to help inform future policy development.

The UK government said the strategy seeks to increase AI adoption across businesses while ensuring workers gain the skills needed to benefit from technological change. Alongside public investment, several technology companies announced additional commitments focused on training, workforce development, research and business support.

Why does it matter?

Governments are increasingly shifting their focus from supporting AI research alone to encouraging widespread adoption across businesses and public services. Many policymakers see AI deployment as a key driver of productivity, competitiveness and economic growth, provided organisations and workers have the skills needed to use the technology effectively.

The UK’s initiative reflects this broader trend by combining investment in AI adoption with workforce development and evidence-based policymaking. The creation of the AI Economics Institute also signals growing interest in understanding how AI will affect jobs, productivity and economic performance as adoption accelerates.

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UK to launch national centre for AI in policing

The UK government is preparing to formally launch PoliceAI, a national centre dedicated to AI in policing, later this month. The centre began mobilising in April 2026 and will support police forces in England and Wales with the responsible adoption of AI and automation.

The government says the use of AI in policing must be lawful, ethical and transparent, supported by robust algorithmic assessments before deployment. It also emphasises that accountability for AI performance and the use of AI-generated outputs must be clearly defined through operational procedures and governance frameworks.

PoliceAI will be hosted by the College of Policing and funded through a Home Office grant under Section 57 of the Police Act 1996. The centre is expected to coordinate AI-related activity across police forces, helping to reduce duplication, improve consistency and strengthen public confidence.

PoliceAI will include an AI Lab responsible for developing, testing and evaluating AI tools, products and services for policing applications. It will assess commercial products and open-source models, benchmark their performance in a UK policing context, run sandbox testing, and support more informed procurement and deployment decisions by Chief Officers.

PoliceAI will also support forces with adoption, guidance, procurement, training, and business change. A dedicated strategy and oversight function will also maintain a public registry of AI models used in operational policing, including details of testing, governance checks and deployment safeguards.

Initial priorities include case file assistants, disclosure assistants, crime data integrity tools, rapid analysis of CCTV and digital media, image identification and classification, governance for Copilot use, transcription and translation tools, and possible AI applications for retail crime and tool theft. A Policing AI Threat Hub will support efforts to address criminal misuse of AI, including the detection of deepfakes and AI-generated false evidence.

Why does it matter?

Police forces are increasingly exploring AI tools to support investigations, administrative tasks, evidence analysis and operational decision-making. However, the use of AI in law enforcement raises important questions about transparency, accountability, bias, public trust and oversight.

PoliceAI represents an effort to create a more coordinated approach to AI adoption across policing in England and Wales. By providing testing, governance, training and public transparency mechanisms, the centre aims to help police forces deploy AI technologies more consistently while addressing concerns about their responsible use.

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UK’s IWF backs on-device nudity detection to protect children online

The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) has welcomed a UK government proposal that would require technology companies to introduce on-device nudity detection and blocking features for children’s internet-connected devices used by children. The charity argues that preventing explicit images from being created or shared could significantly reduce the circulation of child sexual abuse material online.

The proposal follows growing concern over the increasing volume of so-called ‘self-generated’ child sexual abuse material, in which children are manipulated or coerced into creating explicit content.

According to IWF data, 311,610 reports containing child sexual abuse material were actioned during 2025, the highest number recorded by the organisation. Of those reports, 266,397 contained at least one self-generated image or video, underscoring the scale of the issue.

According to the IWF, children are frequently groomed, manipulated or coerced into producing sexual images that are subsequently distributed online. During 2025, analysts assessed more than 111,000 criminal images and almost 29,000 videos involving self-generated abuse material. More than 25,000 of those files were classified as Category A, the most severe category under UK law.

While supporting device-level protections, the organisation emphasised that no single intervention can address the problem on its own. It argues that effective child protection requires a combination of device safeguards, platform responsibility, law enforcement action and broader online safety policies.

Why does it matter?

The proposal reflects a growing shift towards preventative online safety measures that seek to stop harmful content from being created and shared, rather than relying solely on detection and removal after distribution.

The debate also highlights increasing concern about self-generated child sexual abuse material, which has become one of the fastest-growing categories of online abuse. If implemented effectively, device-level safeguards could become an important component of broader child protection strategies that also include platform responsibility, education initiatives and law enforcement action.

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UK project tests how legal data can support AI use in government

The UK Government Digital Service has highlighted data maturity as a key requirement for preparing public sector data for AI use.

The findings come from a project conducted with The National Archives, part of GDS’s wider work to ensure public sector data is managed as a strategic national asset.

During a discovery phase completed in April 2026, the organisations assessed whether legal data, including legislation and case law, could be prepared for AI applications. The work focused on governance, data quality, organisational readiness, and the risks of exposing government data to AI systems, rather than building a specific AI tool.

GDS found that The National Archives’ legal data is already close to AI-ready, thanks to high data quality, strong leadership, relevant skills, and mature governance practices. It said that good data alone is not enough; public sector organisations also need the right people, processes, and culture to use data safely, ethically, and responsibly.

The project also identified the evaluation and validation of AI-generated outputs as a significant future opportunity for the government. GDS said public bodies could add value by developing tools and standards to assess whether AI outputs are trustworthy, rather than replicating services already developed by major technology companies.

The next phase will explore how data maturity can reduce the risks of using AI with public sector data. It will also examine technologies such as the Model Context Protocol, an open-source standard for connecting AI applications to external systems, including databases, tools, and documents.

Why does it matter?

The project shows that AI readiness in government depends on more than deploying new tools. Public bodies need high-quality data, strong governance, clear accountability, and the ability to evaluate AI-generated outputs before relying on them in services that affect citizens and businesses. The work also points to a useful role for government: setting standards for trustworthy AI outputs, rather than simply building public-sector versions of commercial AI products.

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UK regulator launches AI-assisted review of gambling advertising

The UK Gambling Commission has announced a new compliance initiative targeting gambling advertising, following an enforcement notice issued by the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP). The measure aims to prevent gambling advertisements from having a strong appeal to people under 18.

From 11 June, CAP will conduct a monitoring exercise using its AI-powered Active Ad Monitoring System in collaboration with social media platforms. The review will assess whether gambling advertisements comply with rules intended to protect children and other vulnerable audiences.

Under the enforcement notice, businesses found to be in breach of the rules may be required to amend or remove advertisements without delay. Failure to comply could lead to sanctions, including referrals to hosting platforms or the Gambling Commission.

The Gambling Commission said operators must ensure that all advertising, including content published on social media, remains socially responsible and complies with CAP and Broadcast Committee of Advertising Practice (BCAP) requirements.

Why does it matter?

Regulators are increasingly using AI tools to monitor online advertising at scale, particularly in areas where consumer protection concerns are significant. Gambling advertising remains a sensitive issue because of its potential impact on children and other vulnerable groups.

The initiative signals a more proactive approach to enforcement, combining automated monitoring with platform cooperation to identify problematic content more quickly and strengthen compliance with advertising standards.

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UK CMA targets AI search content use in new Google conduct requirements

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has imposed a new conduct requirement on Google Search under the country’s digital markets competition regime. The measure is designed to give publishers greater control over how their content is used and to improve transparency for users.

Under the new requirement, publishers will be able to prevent their content from being used in Google’s AI-powered search features, including AI Overviews. The CMA said the measure is intended to strengthen publishers’ ability to negotiate content licensing and usage agreements with Google.

Google will also be required to provide clearer attribution for publisher content used in AI-generated search results through prominently visible links. Following consultation feedback, publishers will also be able to opt out of having their content used to fine-tune Google’s AI models.

The CMA said it will continue monitoring Google’s AI-related changes to search and may introduce additional measures if competition concerns persist. Google will have up to nine months to implement the requirements and must publish regular compliance reports as the rollout progresses in the UK.

Why does it matter?

The decision highlights growing regulatory scrutiny of how AI-powered search systems use third-party content. As search engines increasingly generate answers directly within search results, publishers have raised concerns about attribution, traffic losses and the use of their content for AI training.

The UK’s approach could influence broader debates about the relationship between AI platforms, publishers and competition policy, particularly as regulators seek to balance innovation with transparency and fair commercial practices.

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UK strengthens Online Safety Act protections against intimate image abuse

The UK Government has announced an amendment to Ofcom’s Illegal Content Codes of Practice under the Online Safety Act, introducing new measures to tackle non-consensual intimate images. The update was outlined in by the Minister for AI and Online Safety, Kanishka Narayan.

The amendment requires relevant online services to use perceptual hash-matching technologies, or equivalent tools, to identify and prevent the re-upload of known non-consensual intimate images, including AI-generated intimate image deepfakes.

According to the government, the change strengthens the framework established by Ofcom’s Illegal Content Codes of Practice, which entered into force in 2025. The updated approach aims to ensure that once abusive content has been identified and removed, systems are in place to prevent it from being repeatedly shared.

The amendment has been laid before Parliament for scrutiny and will take effect if neither House objects. The government said the measure is intended to strengthen protections for victims, particularly women and girls, and forms part of the ongoing implementation of the Online Safety Act in the UK.

Why does it matter?

Governments and regulators are increasingly treating AI-generated intimate imagery as a form of image-based abuse alongside authentic non-consensual intimate content. As generative AI tools make it easier to create and distribute realistic deepfakes, policymakers are looking for mechanisms to prevent harmful content from repeatedly reappearing online.

The UK’s proposal reflects a broader trend towards requiring platforms to deploy technical measures that can identify and block known abusive content while strengthening protections for victims of online harms.

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UK proposes hash-matching rules to combat intimate image abuse in search results

The UK government has published draft amendments to the Illegal Content Codes of Practice for search services under the Online Safety Act, proposing new measures to help detect intimate image abuse content. The amendments, published on 1 June, would add a recommended measure for large general search services to use hash-matching technology to detect intimate-image abuse content.

According to the draft, Ofcom prepared the amendments under section 41 of the Online Safety Act and submitted them to the Secretary of State on 15 May. The document was presented to Parliament under section 43 of the Act and is due to lie before both Houses for 40 days.

The proposed measure, designated ICS C8, would apply to providers of large general search services. The measure recommends the use of perceptual hash matching to identify known intimate image abuse content, or cryptographic hash matching where perceptual matching is not supported by the provider’s hash database.

Under the proposal, content matching an unverified hash for the first time would be treated as potentially illegal and subjected to review under Ofcom’s search moderation procedures. Other matches may be treated as illegal content or reviewed as suspected video and image abuse, depending on the provider’s assurance in the detection outcomes.

The amendments also set expectations for human moderator review, regular updates to hash databases, removal of hashes found not to relate to intimate image abuse content, and reviews of precision and recall at least every six months. Ofcom said the proposed measure includes safeguards intended to protect freedom of expression and privacy rights while supporting the detection of illegal content.

Why does it matter?

The proposal reflects growing efforts by regulators to address the spread of non-consensual intimate imagery, including AI-generated content, through proactive detection and moderation measures.

By encouraging the use of hash-matching technologies, UK authorities aim to reduce the repeated circulation of known abusive material while maintaining safeguards for privacy and freedom of expression.

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