New AI Regulations Announced by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer
On February 16, 2026, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer unveiled significant new rules aimed at enhancing the safety of children online. This announcement comes in the wake of the Grok AI scandal associated with Elon Musk’s X platform, prompting an urgent need for regulatory measures concerning AI chatbots.
Extension of Regulations to AI Chatbots
Starmer’s new regulations extend existing rules to AI chatbots, effectively closing a legal loophole that previously exempted these technologies from key provisions of the Online Safety Act. Under these new rules, popular AI chatbots such as Grok and OpenAI’s ChatGPT will now be required to take proactive measures to prevent children from accessing harmful content. Failure to comply could result in fines of up to 10% of global revenue.
Starmer emphasized the risks involved, stating, “These AI chatbots are forming friendships with children that can take them into all sorts of places they shouldn’t be going.”
Key Actions and Amendments
The government plans to implement several key actions, including:
- The amendment of the children’s well-being bill using “Henry VIII powers,” allowing for the implementation of a potential social media ban for under-16s without unnecessary hindrance.
- AI chatbots will be required to comply with illegal content duties similar to those imposed on traditional social media platforms. This includes curbing infinite scrolling and setting age limits on the use of VPNs that circumvent restrictions.
- The introduction of “Jool’s law”, which mandates that platforms preserve the data of deceased children within five days of a reported death and ensure that it is accessible to coroners.
Voices of Concern
The Chief Executive of the UK’s leading children’s charity, the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, voiced concerns about the implications of these regulations, stating, “Social media has produced huge benefits but lots of harm. AI is going to be that on steroids if we’re not careful.”
This statement highlights the urgent need for careful regulation as AI technologies continue to evolve and permeate everyday life.
