As well as regulating AI, policymakers themselves are using it as part of their day-to-day work from document review to spectrum management. So far most have been slow to do so and remain cautious. International guidelines for the use of AI in the public sector could change that.
While the initial hype surrounding the Metaverse may have given way to AI, development of its technological foundations continues. In light of the potential implications for policymakers, we've identified six areas where their attention should be focused
Both sides are looking to maintain regulatory alignment with things like data protection set to continue, although Ofcom should be able to regulate with more flexibly. While the roaming regulation no longer applies, there may be sufficient incentives for it to continue
The Biden administration is expected to bring significant change for telecoms and Big Tech. Overhauling broadband policy to foster competition and reduce the gap between urban and rural areas, restoring net neutrality rules, and continued restrictions on Chinese equipment vendors all seem likely
Despite a promising start in some countries, nearly all contact-tracing apps have failed to meet expectations – either due to technical problems, barriers to interoperability, or lack of public trust. Different approaches have emerged, however the collaboration between Apple and Google on a decentralised API is now becoming the most prevalent option. Adoption of the apps will need to grow significantly for contact-tracing to succeed. For this to happen, governments will need to show they take privacy seriously.
The coronavirus pandemic has changed the way people interact with each other all over the world. Given the essential need for connectivity, regulators and policymakers have been swift to change their priorities and focus on ensuring network resilience and support for consumers. In this note we share some of the measures regulators and policymakers have been taking, along with those of the operators, and identify some of the challenges that lie ahead.
On 27 January 2020, the UK Government published its policy position on security in consumer IoT. In deciding not to launch a voluntary labelling scheme, the Government recognised it wouldn't have the intended effect to improve customers’ awareness about the security of the IoT products they purchase. This is in line with what is taking shape at the European level, where the European agency for cybersecurity has also found the need for more specific legislation.
The EU’s General Data Protection Regulation is 18 months old. Governments of 19 EU countries made submissions to the European Council in preparation for the first review. They highlight some gaps in the legislation, with particular regard to cross-border cooperation and enforcement, monitoring of codes of conduct, and to the need for GDPR to retain a forward-looking view so that it does not stifle technological development.
The note published by Mark Zuckerberg on 6 March 2019 sets out the new approach Facebook aims to take for its communications services. It will be more focused on privacy and less on public sharing compared to the past, reflecting on new demands of the market and taking on board some of the lessons of the past.
