Regulating autonomous and agentic AI

Source

Source name: arXiv
Source kind: paper
Authors / organization: Chris Reed, Alex Austria, Anmol Bharuka, Pragnitha Mandava, Khushiya Mujawar, Luka Shakhkulashvili
Venue: arXiv: cs.AI
Published: 2026-07-23
Collected: 2026-07-24
URL: http://arxiv.org/abs/2607.21345v1
PDF: https://arxiv.org/pdf/2607.21345v1
DOI: UNKNOWN

Plain-Language Brief

The paper explores the difficulties in regulating activities that involve autonomous and agentic AI due to the shift in control and knowledge away from the regulatees. The authors investigate four regulatory systems and propose potential solutions for these new challenges.

What the Document Says

Regulating activities involving autonomous and agentic AI is difficult because assumptions about regulatee knowledge and control no longer hold true.
The AI supply chain needs to be brought within the scope of regulation.
Existing governance models cannot replicate for autonomous AI; a fresh approach is needed.
Retrospective supervisory oversight becomes ineffective as a risk management tool.
AI autonomy generates new systemic risks requiring new solutions.
The paper analyzes four regulatory systems: UK regulation of content platforms, data protection, UK financial services, and the EU AI Act's cross-sectoral regime.

Key Concepts Mentioned

autonomous AI
agentic AI
regulation
governance
risk management
systemic risks

Claims Made by the Document

Existing regulatory assumptions about regulatee knowledge and control are no longer valid.
The AI supply chain needs to be included in regulation.
New governance systems for autonomous AI are needed.
Retrospective supervisory oversight is ineffective as a risk management tool.
AI autonomy introduces new systemic risks.

Evidence Used

The text states that 'Regulatory assumptions about regulatee knowledge and control no longer hold true'.

Methods / Approach

UNKNOWN

Limitations Stated by the Authors

UNKNOWN

Limitations Noted by the Agent

Agent interpretation — not from the source.

UNKNOWN

Open Questions

UNKNOWN

Notes for Future Q&A

May include interpretation. Labeled where it does.

UNKNOWN

Raw Abstract / Excerpt

Regulating activities where regulatees use autonomous and agentic AI is challenging. Regulatory assumptions about regulatee knowledge and control no longer hold true; much of that lies elsewhere in the AI supply chain which thus needs to be brought within the scope of regulation. Governance systems for autonomous AI cannot replicate existing governance models, but need a fresh approach. Retrospective supervisory oversight becomes ineffective as a risk management tool, and AI autonomy generates new systemic risks which require new solutions. This paper investigate four regulatory systems: UK regulation of content platforms, data protection, UK financial services, and the EU AI Act'92s cross-sectoral regime. It analyses the challenges posed by autonomous and agentic AI and proposes potential solutions which regulators might adopt. These will transform regulation from a reactive process to an active one, and assist it in adapting to the challenges of AI autonomy.