AI minister hints at Budget measures as UK weighs tougher tech rules

AI minister Kanishka Narayan has hinted at new measures in next week s Budget, as the government considers tougher regulation of AI alongside plans to reduce Britain s dependence on foreign technology. Narayan said ministers must go beyond regulating AI and develop domestic technology to give Britain greater influence over how it is used. Speaking on BBC s Political Thinking podcast, he said the government needed to focus on building capability and capacity in the state , rather than simply pulling the lever of regulation . We need to build technology to defend ourselves and to grow ourselves so we have leverage internationally , he said, warning that Britain was currently totally reliant on other countries for essential bits of technology . Narayan also suggested that discussions with John Healey could lead to an AI announcement in Wednesday s Budget, although he gave no further details. It comes as ministers consider mandatory reporting of serious incidents involvi