The UK Parliament has passed the world’s first comprehensive Artificial Intelligence Safety Act, introducing legal standards for the ethical use, transparency, and accountability of AI systems.
The law, which takes effect in early 2026, mandates that developers of large-scale AI models must register with the Office for AI Oversight. High-risk uses—such as facial recognition in policing or generative AI in healthcare—will now face stricter scrutiny.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak praised the bill as a model for international governance. “We want to lead the world in responsible AI,” he said during the parliamentary session.
The bill is being closely studied in countries like India and Nepal, where AI adoption in education and banking is growing rapidly. Analysts say it could inspire similar frameworks in South Asia to prevent misuse of emerging technologies.
