Summary
Responsible AI UK (RAi UK), a national research network advancing ethical and impactful AI, submitted a detailed response to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) consultation on the proposed AI Management Essentials (AIME) tool. RAi UK broadly supports AIME as a promising starting point for SMEs and startups aiming to adopt responsible AI practices. However, it identifies key areas where the tool could be strengthened to ensure real-world impact and usability.
The response recommends enhancing the tool’s precision, ensuring clearer terminology, and expanding coverage to include accountability, ethical procurement, and the implications of Large Language Models (LLMs). RAi UK stresses that the tool should go beyond checking internal policies to also prompt reflection on the appropriateness and consequences of AI deployment.
The group welcomes the proposed decision-tree format but urges more transparency around scoring and action points. Embedding AIME in government procurement is supported, provided it remains accessible for smaller organisations. RAi UK also encourages alignment with existing frameworks like AP4AI and AIPAS to avoid duplication and promote consistency across the AI governance ecosystem.
Overall, the response advocates for a robust, usable AIME tool that encourages meaningful self-assessment and supports responsible AI adoption across the UK innovation landscape.
Author
Dr. Sarah Kiden , Research Fellow, University of Southampton
Isabela Parisio , Postdoctoral Research Associate, King's College London
Professor Gina Neff, Executive Director of the Minderoo Centre for Technology & Democracy, University of Cambridge
Professor Gopal Ramchurn, Professor of Artificial Intelligence, University of Southampton
