- The UK government plans to allow AI systems to use data from the Met Office and legal documents from the National Archives to boost AI deployment in the public sector and businesses.
- The state is funding pilot research projects to test ways to use Met Office data to support public authorities, such as predicting when to purchase additional road grit.
- Another project assesses the ability to use legal data from the National Archives to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) access legal advice faster.
- Minister for Digital and Data Ian Murray stated that this is a way to “smartly exploit public sector data,” helping café owners or shopkeepers save time reading legal texts.
- The government also announced plans to license content from national organizations like the Natural History Museum and the National Library of Scotland for AI development.
- Data is considered a core element of generative AI, fueling controversy between the government and the creative industry regarding copyright.
- Ministers have been criticized for proposing to allow AI companies to use copyrighted works under an “opt-out” mechanism, rather than seeking prior permission.
- Technology Minister Liz Kendall said she would “reset” this policy through a formal review to be announced in March.
- The government’s AI action plan proposes building a National Data Library and a commercial cultural data library.
- A “creative content trading platform” will allow the buying, selling, and licensing of digitized cultural content at scale, with a pilot platform launching in the summer.
📌 The UK government plans to allow AI systems to use data from the Met Office and legal documents from the National Archives to boost AI deployment in the public sector and businesses. The government also announced plans to license content from national organizations like the Natural History Museum and the National Library of Scotland for AI development. While promising to support businesses and the public sector, this plan still faces fierce controversy regarding copyright and privacy. A “creative content trading platform” will allow the buying, selling, and licensing of digitized cultural content at scale, with a pilot platform launching in the summer.
