UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak has announced that the UK is set to host the first major global summit on AI safety.
The news comes as the world grapples with the challenges and opportunities presented by the rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence.
Breakthroughs from AI continue to improve our lives – from enabling paralysed people to walk to discovering superbug-killing antibiotics. However, the development of AI is extraordinarily fast moving and this pace of change requires agile leadership.
Last week dozens of leading experts warned about the potential for AI to endanger humanity in similar ways to pandemics or nuclear weapons.
In Washington DC today, the Prime Minister will stress the importance of likeminded allies and companies working to develop an international framework to ensure the safe and reliable development and use of AI.
The summit, which will be hosted in the UK this autumn, will consider the risks of AI, including frontier systems, and discuss how they can be mitigated through internationally coordinated action. It will also provide a platform for countries to work together on further developing a shared approach to mitigate these risks.
Speaking about the announcement, Sunak said, “AI has an incredible potential to transform our lives for the better.”
“But we need to make sure it is developed and used in a way that is safe and secure.”
Time and time again throughout history we have invented paradigm-shifting new technologies and we have harnessed them for the good of humanity.”
“That is what we must do again.”
“No one country can do this alone.”
“This is going to take a global effort.”
“But with our vast expertise and commitment to an open, democratic international system, the UK will stand together with our allies to lead the way.”
The Prime Minister will meet President Joe Biden in the White House for wide ranging discussions on the UK-US relationship, in particular how we can work together to strengthen our economies and cement our joint leadership in the technologies of the future.
Sunak will also announce an increase in the number of scholarships the UK Government funds for students undertaking post-graduate study and research at UK and US universities, enhancing our shared expertise in STEM subjects.
