A.I. horizon scanner
What’s happening in AI that product managers working in UK public, higher education and third sectors should be aware of.
This timeline of playbooks, reports and product releases from organisations working on AI provides product managers with source materials for considering trends in AI technology, safety, regulation, etc.
| Title | Description | Link | Author | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| How the UK tech secretary uses ChatGPT for policy advice | Freedom of information laws were used to obtain the ChatGPT records of Peter Kyle, the UK’s technology secretary, in what is believed to be a world-first use of such legislation | https://www.newscientist.com/article/2472068-revealed-how-the-uk-tech-secretary-uses-chatgpt-for-policy-advice/ | Chris Stokel-Walker, New Scientist | March, 2025 |
| AI Tools – What about data protection? | Data protection assessment of Gen AI providers | https://www.vischer.com/en/knowledge/blog/part-25-ai-tools-what-about-data-protection/ | Hunger & Baeriswyl, Vischer | March, 2025 |
| Microsoft / OpenAI partnership merger inquiry closed | The CMA has decided that Microsoft’s partnership with OpenAI does not qualify for investigation under the merger provisions of the Enterprise Act 2002. | https://www.gov.uk/cma-cases/microsoft-slash-openai-partnership-merger-inquiry | Competition and Markets Authority | March, 2025 |
| Artificial Intelligence Playbook for the UK Government | The AI Playbook will support the public sector in better understanding what AI can and cannot do, and how to mitigate the risks it brings. It will help ensure that AI technologies are deployed in responsible and beneficial ways, safeguarding the security, wellbeing, and trust of the public we serve. | https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ai-playbook-for-the-uk-government/artificial-intelligence-playbook-for-the-uk-government-html | UK Government | February, 2025 |
| AI. 8 Realities, 8 Billion Reasons to Regulate. | A report into why the UK needs an AI Regulation Bill. | https://lordchrisholmes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/AI-Regulation-Report.pdf | Lord Holmes of Richmond MBE. | February, 2025 |
| AI Playbook for charities | This playbook helps charities use AI thoughtfully and effectively. Drawing from decades of experience working both within charities and alongside them as consultants. | https://www.aiplaybookforcharities.com/ | Edd Baldry & Suzanne Begley | February, 2025 |
| Introducing GPT-4.5 | We’re releasing a research preview of GPT‑4.5—our largest and best model for chat yet. GPT‑4.5 is a step forward in scaling up pre-training and post-training. | https://openai.com/index/introducing-gpt-4-5/ | Open AI | February, 2025 |
| Block Open Source Introduces “codename goose” — an Open Framework for AI Agents | Block’s Open Source Program Office announced the launch of codename goose, an interoperable AI agent framework that enables users to connect large language models (LLMs) to real-world actions. | https://block.xyz/inside/block-open-source-introduces-codename-goose | Block | January, 2025 |
| Friends for sale: the rise and risks of AI companions | What are the possible long-term effects of AI companions on individuals and society? | https://www.adalovelaceinstitute.org/blog/ai-companions/ | Jamie Bernardi, Ada Lovelace Institute | January, 2025 |
| A learning curve? | A Iandscape review of AI and education in the UK. | https://www.adalovelaceinstitute.org/report/a-learning-curve/ | Renate Samson & Kruakae Pothong, Ada Lovelace Institute | January, 2025 |
| AI Opportunities Action Plan | AI capabilities are developing at an extraordinary pace. If this continues, artificial intelligence (AI) could be the government’s single biggest lever to deliver its five missions, especially the goal of kickstarting broad-based economic growth. | https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ai-opportunities-action-plan/ai-opportunities-action-plan | Department for Science, Innovation & Technology | January, 2025 |
| OpenAI o3-mini | Pushing the frontier of cost-effective reasoning. | https://openai.com/index/openai-o3-mini/ | Open AI | January, 2025 |
| Introducing Operator | A research preview of an agent that can use its own browser to perform tasks for you. | https://openai.com/index/introducing-operator/ | Open AI | January, 2025 |
| AI C.A.R.E. Cards for Leaders | This is a set of open-ended questions meant to start conversations around AI from a leadership perspective. | https://www.alignmentedu.com/resources | Alignment Edu | — |
| Sora is here | Sharing initial research progress on world simulation in Sora, a model that can create realistic videos from text. | https://openai.com/index/sora-is-here/ | Open AI | December, 2024 |
| AI Generated Business: The Rise of AGI and the Rush to Find a Working Revenue Model | This report set out to investigate and elucidate the business models behind the generative AI companies that are drawing hundreds of billions of dollars in investment. | https://ainowinstitute.org/general/ai-generated-business | Brian Merchant, AI Now Institute | December, 2024 |
| OpenAI o1 and new tools for developers | Introducing OpenAI o1, Realtime API improvements, a new fine-tuning method and more for developers. | https://openai.com/index/o1-and-new-tools-for-developers/ | Open AI | December, 2024 |
| Introducing ChatGPT search | Get fast, timely answers with links to relevant web sources. | https://openai.com/index/introducing-chatgpt-search/ | Open AI | October, 2024 |
| Governing AI for Humanity: Final Report | Recommendations to advance a holistic vision for a globally networked, agile and fexible approach to governing AI for humanity. | https://www.un.org/sites/un2.un.org/files/governing_ai_for_humanity_final_report_en.pdf | United Nations | September, 2024 |
| GenAI academic prompt bank | A dynamic resource designed to support thoughtful and ethical use of GenAI as a tool for learning. | https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/study-skills/digital/generative-ai/prompt-bank | University of Sheffield | September, 2024 |
| Generative AI Guidelines Canvas | A canvas to help organise key pieces of information into a unified framework for AI adoption unique to your specific context. | https://johnnash.notion.site/Generative-AI-Guidelines-Canvas-v-2-d174ba11a62a41f59526f9271b9db8a6 | John Nash | — |
| EU AI Act launched | The AI Act (Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 laying down harmonised rules on artificial intelligence) is the first-ever comprehensive legal framework on AI worldwide. The aim of the rules is to foster trustworthy AI in Europe. | https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32024R1689 | European Union | June, 2024 |
| The AI Bill Project | This paper sets out the background to the TUC Artificial Intelligence (Employment and Regulation) Bill (“the Bill”), the multi-stakeholder process behind the drafting, why the Bill is needed, and how it could improve the rights of working people. | https://www.tuc.org.uk/research-analysis/reports/ai-bill-project | Mary Towers, Policy officer – employment rights, TUC | April, 2024 |
| Advances model fairness analysis summary report | Internal assessment of a machine-learning programme used to vet claims for universal credit payments across England found it incorrectly selected people from some groups more than others when recommending whom to investigate for possible fraud. | https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/ai_strategy_information/response/2748592/attach/6/Advances%20Fairness%20Analysis%20February%2024%20redacted%201.pdf?cookie_passthrough=1 | Integrated risk and intelligence service | April, 2024 |
| Power and Governance in the Age of AI | Experts Reflect on Artificial Intelligence and the Public Good. | https://www.newamerica.org/planetary-politics/briefs/power-governance-ai-public-good/ | Gordon LaForge, Allison Stanger, Sarah Myers West, Bruce Schneier, Stephanie Forrest, and Nazli Choucri, New America | March, 2024 |
| AI nationalism(s): Global industrial policy approaches to AI | Collection of essays exploring the nationalist narratives and emergent industrial policies being proposed by governments with differing economic and geopolitical motivations. | https://ainowinstitute.org/ai-nationalisms | AI Now | March, 2024 |
| Generative AI Framework for HMG | The Generative AI Framework for HMG is guidance on using generative AI safely and securely for civil servants and people working in government organisations. | https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/generative-ai-framework-for-hmg | Cabinet Office, Government Digital Service and Central Digital and Data Office | January, 2024 |
| ISO/IEC 42001:2023 | ISO/IEC 42001 is an international standard that specifies requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an Artificial Intelligence Management System (AIMS) within organizations. It is designed for entities providing or utilizing AI-based products or services, ensuring responsible development and use of AI systems. | https://www.iso.org/standard/81230.html | International Organization for Standardization | December, 2023 |
| Introducing GPTs | Create custom versions of ChatGPT that combine instructions, extra knowledge, and any combination of skills. | https://openai.com/index/introducing-gpts/ | Open AI | November, 2023 |
| AI Safety Summit 2023 | The AI Safety Summit 2023 is a major global event that will take place on the 1 and 2 November at Bletchley Park, Buckinghamshire. | https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/ai-safety-summit-2023 | Department for Science, Innovation and Technology | November, 2023 |
| Foundation models in the public sector | An overview of foundation models and their potential use cases in central and local government in the UK. Considers their risks and opportunities in the public sector, as highlighted by public-sector leaders, researchers and civil society, and explores the principles, regulations and practices, such as impact assessments, monitoring and public involvement, necessary to deploy foundation models in the public sector safely, ethically and equitably. | https://www.adalovelaceinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Foundation-models-in-the-public-sector-Oct-2023.pdf | Ada Lovelace Institute | October, 2023 |
| Emerging processes for frontier AI safety | Overview of emerging frontier AI safety processes and associated practices. | https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/emerging-processes-for-frontier-ai-safety | Department for Science, Innovation and Technology | October, 2023 |
| How do people feel about AI? | A nationally representative survey of public attitudes to artificial intelligence in Britain | https://www.adalovelaceinstitute.org/report/public-attitudes-ai/ | Roshni Modhvadia, Ada Lovelace Institute | June, 2023 |
| AI regulation: a pro-innovation approach | White paper details the UK government’s plans for implementing a pro-innovation approach to AI regulation. | https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ai-regulation-a-pro-innovation-approach | Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and Office for Artificial Intelligence | March, 2023 |
| Using AI to Implement Effective Teaching Strategies in Classrooms: Five Strategies, Including Prompts | This paper provides guidance for using AI to quickly and easily implement evidence-based teaching strategies that instructors can integrate into their teaching. We discuss five teaching strategies that have proven value but are hard to implement in practice due to time and effort constraints. | https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4391243 | Mollach & Mollach, Wharton School | March, 2023 |
| Introducing Khanmigo! | AI education tool for teachers, learners and parents. | https://blog.khanacademy.org/harnessing-ai-so-that-all-students-benefit-a-nonprofit-approach-for-equal-access/ | Khan Academy | March, 2023 |
| Looking before we leap | Expanding ethical review processes for AI and data science research. | https://www.adalovelaceinstitute.org/report/looking-before-we-leap/ | Ada Lovelace Institute, the University of Exeter’s Institute for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, and the Alan Turing Institute | December, 2022 |
| Introducing ChatGPT | ChatGPT interacts in a conversational way. The dialogue format makes it possible for ChatGPT to answer followup questions, admit its mistakes, challenge incorrect premises, and reject inappropriate requests. | https://openai.com/index/chatgpt/ | Open AI | November, 2022 |
| The Scottish AI Playbook | Scotland’s AI Support and Resource Hub for Business. | https://www.scottishaiplaybook.com/ | Scottish AI Alliance | March, 2022 |
| Algorithmic impact assessment: a case study in healthcare | This report sets out the first-known detailed proposal for the use of an algorithmic impact assessment for data access in a healthcare context. | https://www.adalovelaceinstitute.org/report/algorithmic-impact-assessment-case-study-healthcare/ | Lara Groves, Ada Lovelace Institute | February, 2022 |
| Technical methods for regulatory inspection of algorithmic systems | A survey of auditing methods for use in regulatory inspections of online harms in social media platforms. | https://www.adalovelaceinstitute.org/report/technical-methods-regulatory-inspection/ | Ada Lovelace Institute | December, 2021 |
| National AI Strategy | The National AI Strategy builds on the UK’s strengths but also represents the start of a step-change for AI in the UK, recognising the power of AI to increase resilience, productivity, growth and innovation across the private and public sectors. | https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-ai-strategy | Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, Office for Artificial Intelligence, Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport and Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy | September, 2021 |
| Algorithmic accountability for the public sector | Learning from the first wave of policy implementation. | https://www.adalovelaceinstitute.org/report/algorithmic-accountability-public-sector/ | Ada Lovelace Institute, AI Now Institute, and Open Government Partnerships | August, 2021 |
| Scotland’s AI strategy | The Strategy marks a new chapter in Scotland’s relationship with artificial intelligence. It is the result of an extensive consultation and engagement programme involving academia, industry, the public sector and the people of Scotland who were generous with their time, contributing ideas, insights and opinion on AI. | https://www.scotlandaistrategy.com/the-strategy | Scottish AI Alliance | March, 2021 |
| On the Dangers of Stochastic Parrots: Can Language Models Be Too Big? | This paper considers the possible risks associated with LLM technology and what paths are available for mitigating those risks, and provides recommendations including weighing the environmental and financial costs first, investing resources into curating and carefully documenting datasets rather than ingesting everything on the web, and carrying out pre-development exercises. | https://dl.acm.org/doi/pdf/10.1145/3442188.3445922 | Emily Bender, Timnit Gebru, Angelina McMillan-Major, | March, 2021 |
| Inspecting algorithms in social media platforms | Joint briefing with Reset, giving insights and recommendations towards a practical route forward for regulatory inspection of algorithms. | https://www.adalovelaceinstitute.org/report/inspecting-algorithms-in-social-media-platforms/ | Ada Lovelace Institute | November, 2020 |
| Transparency mechanisms for UK public-sector algorithmic decision-making systems | Existing UK mechanisms for transparency and their relation to the implementation of algorithmic decision-making systems. | https://www.adalovelaceinstitute.org/report/transparency-mechanisms-for-uk-public-sector-algorithmic-decision-making-systems/ | Ada Lovelace Institute | October, 2020 |
| Examining the Black Box | Identifying common language for algorithm audits and impact assessments. | https://www.adalovelaceinstitute.org/report/examining-the-black-box-tools-for-assessing-algorithmic-systems/ | Ada Lovelace Institute | April, 2020 |
| The AI Playbook | The step-by-step guide to taking advantage of AI in your business. | https://www.ai-playbook.com/introduction | MMC Ventures, in partnership with Barclays | January, 2019 |
| Introducing OpenAI | OpenAI launches as a non-profit artificial intelligence research company with the goal of advancing digital intelligence in the way that is most likely to benefit humanity as a whole. | https://openai.com/index/introducing-openai/ | Open AI | December, 2015 |
If you think of anything I should add, let me know.