Ofcom is aiming to support innovative applications of AI across communications markets, shifting its approach that had largely focused on understanding the technology's risks
Ofcom has updated its strategic approach to AI, setting out its own plans for AI adoption as well as forecasting its use in communications markets
On 6 June 2025, Ofcom published its strategic approach to AI, 2025/2026, setting out its vision for the various opportunities to adopt AI in regulating the communications sectors, such as in spectrum management, the detection of anomalies on telecoms networks and the identification of harmful content on online platforms. The regulator has also set out its approach to the AI market, where it hopes to foster innovation by reducing regulatory friction and speeding up the development of innovative AI tools, alongside details of how it is adopting AI in its own work. In comparison to the regulator’s first strategic approach to AI, published in March 2024, the new strategy is far more detailed and demonstrates in a clearer way the work Ofcom is doing in relation to AI.
Network maintenance and spectrum management could be improved with AI
In the telecoms sector, Ofcom sees potential for improved network management and efficiency because of how AI can predict maintenance needs, detect anomalies and identify security threats. The strategy also calls for the use of AI in the optimisation of infrastructure deployment, and to help reduce the power consumption of networks. With respect to spectrum, the regulator considers that AI could improve spectrum management through systems that enable real-time spectrum sharing among multiple users or networks. Ofcom also suggests that AI could help to optimise spectrum allocation by predicting high demand areas and times and reallocating frequencies accordingly.
Ofcom’s regulation underpins its approach to fostering innovation in AI
Ofcom’s view is that its regulatory approach underpins its support for AI innovation and has therefore grouped its work in this area into the following four categories:
Investing in hands-on and technical AI research, including through sandboxes and technical labs;
Providing large data sets to help train and develop AI models;
Collaborating with other institutions, such as the Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum (DRCF), to provide regulatory alignment; and
Building relationships and providing active support to stakeholders to increase regulatory clarity.
The strategy goes on to detail some of the work Ofcom is currently undertaking within these four areas. In the first, for example, the regulator has developed government-funded spectrum sandboxes that use new technologies to measure and report spectrum interferences, and has been looking at how generative AI could be used in online safety, particularly to help content moderation efforts.
There is a clear reflection of the UK Government's growth agenda, with a focus on innovation over risk
Throughout the document, it is clear that enabling innovation in AI has become a key priority for Ofcom, which marks a significant shift from its 2024/25 strategic approach. The previous strategy gave little detail on how AI would be regulated on a sector-specific basis, focusing more on assessing Ofcom’s readiness to regulate AI and provided only an indication as to how innovation could be encouraged. The first version also explained how Ofcom was building the capability to address AI risks. Now though, Ofcom has clearly progressed its approach from its own preparedness. This shift not only signals a notable improvement in the regulator’s AI capabilities, but also seemingly aligns it more with the Government's growth agenda through its focus on innovation.
