UK AI Bill Expected in May as Ofcom Ramps Up Online Safety Act Enforcement
The United Kingdom is preparing to introduce a dedicated Artificial Intelligence Bill as early as May 2026, as regulators including Ofcom step up enforcement of existing digital laws against AI-powered services.
The anticipated legislation, expected to be announced in the King's Speech, will focus on frontier AI models and address the contentious issue of AI and copyright. It is not expected to be as sweeping as the European Union's AI Act, reflecting the UK government's preference for a lighter-touch, innovation-friendly approach to regulation.
Key Developments
Ofcom, the UK's communications regulator, has been actively enforcing the Online Safety Act 2023 against AI-powered services. In January 2026, the regulator launched an investigation into an AI character companion chatbot service regarding age assurance requirements, and also initiated an investigation into the Grok AI chatbot on X. These actions signal that the Online Safety Act applies to generative AI and chatbot services that function as user-to-user platforms.
The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025, which came into force in February 2026, has already introduced significant changes to the regulatory landscape. The Act liberalised rules around automated decision-making, introduced new transparency requirements, and criminalised the creation of sexually explicit deepfake images of adults without consent.
Background
The UK's approach to AI regulation has been characterised by a multi-regulator model, with Ofcom, the Information Commissioner's Office, the Competition and Markets Authority, and the Financial Conduct Authority each applying existing powers within their respective domains. This contrasts with the EU's more unified approach under the AI Act.
The Competition and Markets Authority has also been active, proposing rules requiring Google to give publishers greater control over content use in AI search summaries and model training. The CMA has initiated five merger control investigations in the AI sector since December 2023, including scrutiny of the Microsoft/OpenAI and Amazon/Anthropic relationships.
Why It Matters
For the UK's thriving technology sector, including London's booming AI industry and Dublin's tech hub, the regulatory framework will have significant implications. Businesses are seeking clarity on how AI systems must comply with existing laws, while investors are watching to see whether the UK can maintain its reputation as a pro-innovation jurisdiction.
What's Next
The AI Bill is expected to be introduced following the King's Speech, potentially in May 2026, with the legislation unlikely to become law before late 2026 or early 2027. The government is also expected to announce further details of its AI Growth Lab, a proposed cross-economy sandbox where companies can test AI applications under modified regulatory conditions. More from Taylor Wessing.
