ICO sets out next phase of its plan for safe AI-powered innovation

The Information Commissioners Office (ICO) has published its response to the Government’s request for a plan to support safe AI-powered innovation. 

Over the next 12 months, the ICO will focus on greater regulatory certainty for AI, automated decision-making and biometrics, alongside consumer trust in increasingly personalised AI services.

The headline message from the ICO is that it is not treating data protection as a barrier to AI adoption. Instead, lawful, transparent, and well-governed use of personal data is being positioned as essential to innovation.

Key areas of ICO upcoming action in this sphere are:

1. development of an ICO AI code of practice;
2. dedicated guidance on agentic AI; and
3. support for consumers navigating more personalised AI services.

We are watching these developments with great interest and further detail is expected in the ICO’s new AI strategy. Once this has been published we will look to provide a full breakdown.