| Link(s): | ICO response to government on safe AI-powered innovation | ICO letter-to-sos-on-ai-20260527.pdf |
Context
The ICO has published its response to the Government on safe AI-powered innovation. In January 2026, the Technology Secretary and the Business Secretary jointly wrote to the Information Commissioner asking the ICO to build on the foundation of its previous growth commitments to government and publish a plan for enabling safe AI-powered innovation by the end of May 2026.
Key points to note and next actions
The response sets out the progress the ICO is making on its June 2025 AI and biometrics strategy, where the ICO is providing regulatory certainty and improving standards in AI, automated decision making (ADM), and biometric technology across the private and public sectors. The response also sets out the ICO’s plans for the next 12 months.
The response includes details of the ICO’s workplan, which will commit to a series of actions:
- develop an AI & ADM statutory code of practice;
- listen to the public’s queries and concerns around the ever increasing personalisation of consumer-facing AI services;
- produce a green cross code-style “how to” guide;
- publish a transparency resource to support organisations, in particular SMEs and public bodies;
- publish guidance on how to ensure agentic systems comply with UK GDPR; and
- streamline and rebrand the ICO’s Innovation and Sandbox services.