Artificial intelligence and freedom of expression in the United Kingdom

Internet publication

While the Labour government has promised to pass legislation specifically directed to regulating AI, at present, the UK does not have legislation covering AI as a technology, and there is no single AI regulator in the country. Instead, AI is regulated according to how it is used and to the extent such use falls within the scope of existing statutory frameworks. Additionally, there is an extensive collection of policy initiatives that directly target AI and the opportunities it presents in terms of the economy, law enforcement, and other sectors. These developments are set against a backdrop of protections for freedom of expression at the national and regional levels. As a Council of Europe member state, the UK is subject to the jurisdiction of the European Court of Human Rights and has obligations to comply with the European Convention on Human Rights. The latter is incorporated into the domestic legal system by way of the Human Rights Act 1998. Notwithstanding these protections, the government’s enthusiasm to leverage AI in the public and private sectors as well as its regulation by way of legislation such as the Online Safety Act 2023, raises concerns that there is insufficient attention being paid to the potential impact on freedom of expression and other human rights in this context. Additionally, while the government is investing billions of pounds in AI-related initiatives, there is no suggestion that it intends to increase funding for the independent statutory body responsible for protecting the human rights of those living in the UK. Collectively, these developments suggest that the UK is not taking a human rights-based approach to AI regulation and that freedom of expression is unlikely to be adequately protected as the government moves forward with its ambitious plans to shape what it characterizes as an AI revolution.

Authors: Bechtold, E

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Reviewed (other)
• Publisher: Future of Free Speech
• Publication date: 2026-10-07
• Language: English