ICO AI Working Groups and G7 Statements

Detected March 23rd, 2026

Summary

The UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) chairs several working groups focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI) regulation, including a UK regulator group and a Scottish-based network. The ICO also participates in international forums like the G7 and the Berlin Group, which have issued statements and papers on AI and Large Language Models.

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What changed

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has outlined its involvement in various AI-focused working groups and international collaborations. This includes chairing an informal UK regulator working group for a multilateral approach to AI regulation, establishing a Scottish AI regulatory network, and participating in the G7 data protection and privacy regulators roundtable. The ICO also contributes to the International Working Group on Data Protection in Technology (Berlin Group), which recently published a working paper on Large Language Models (LLMs).

These initiatives indicate the ICO's proactive engagement in shaping AI governance and fostering international cooperation on AI regulation and data protection. While this document primarily serves as an informational notice about the ICO's activities, it highlights the ongoing development of regulatory approaches to AI. Regulated entities should be aware of these international discussions and potential future guidance or regulatory actions stemming from these working groups, particularly concerning AI and LLMs.

Source document (simplified)

Working groups and how you can work with us

Regulators and AI Working Group

We chair an informal working group for UK regulators focusing on AI issues. It acts as a discussion forum for the development of a collaborative and multilateral approach to AI regulation by existing regulators and a limited number of non-regulatory entities such as civil society and government.

Scottish AI Regulatory Working Group

Our Scottish Affairs Team and Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) established a Scotland-based regulatory network that focuses on topical issues around AI in Scotland.

G7

We participate in the G7 data protection and privacy regulators roundtable which meets on an annual basis to discuss the most important emerging technologies, data transfers and enforcement cooperation issues affecting this group of advanced digital economies. The G7 DPA Roundtable has published joint statements on ‘ Generative AI’ in 2023 and the ‘Role of Data Protection Authorities in Fostering Trustworthy AI’ in 2024.

Berlin Group

The International Working Group on Data Protection in Technology (IWGDPT), also known as the Berlin Group, is comprised of participants from data protection supervisory authorities, government agencies, international organisations and non-governmental organisations. The Group meets twice a year to discuss key developments within the technology sector with a particular focus on emerging technologies. In 2024, the Berlin Group published its ‘Working Paper on Large Language Models (LLMs)’ with the ICO participating in the drafting group and included contributions from Berlin Group members.

Our innovation services have worked with numerous organisations to help ensure that different AI and biometrics innovations are adopted safely across sectors.

In 2024 the ICO launched its first Enterprise Data Strategy. We are implementing a transformation programme dedicated to exploring opportunities for AI the ICO, including how AI can be utilised to improve productivity and efficiency, and how AI might enhance our ability to carry out regulatory activities at scale. We are approaching our AI journey responsibly and in an informed way.