Britain’s Tech Secretary Michelle Donelan has dismissed the idea that the UK government wants to establish a global regulator for artificial intelligence (AI). In an interview with the POLITICO Tech podcast, Donelan explained that the upcoming AI safety summit in November aims to create international networks and frameworks to identify and manage risks associated with AI. However, she clarified that the summit is not intended to produce global legislation or establish a global AI regulator. Instead, the UK government plans to use the summit to highlight its “Frontier AI Taskforce,” an advisory panel in talks with major AI companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google DeepMind. Donelan expressed the desire for the summit to initiate collaboration among countries, leveraging the UK’s leading AI thinkers and the task force’s expertise. She also hinted at the possibility of establishing an “AI Safety Institute” as an assisting body for governments in evaluating national security risks related to frontier models, the most advanced forms of the technology.
The UK government’s stance on AI regulation aligns with its goal to foster international cooperation rather than impose a top-down global regulatory framework. This approach reflects the recognition that AI technology is rapidly advancing and requires agile responses to evolving risks and challenges. Donelan compares the current pace of AI development to its state just five years ago, highlighting the significant progress made since then. Large language models, for instance, have advanced to the point where they can now pass exams like the Bar Exam—a testament to the swift evolution of AI capabilities.
The AI safety summit in November, set to take place at Bletchley Park, holds promise as a platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration. Donelan emphasizes the intention for this summit to mark the beginning of a network of countries working together on AI safety. The UK’s Frontier AI Taskforce, composed of renowned experts like Yoshua Bengio, is at the heart of this effort. The aim is to leverage the expertise and insight of the task force to guide governments in evaluating and mitigating risks associated with frontier AI models. This approach positions the UK as a leader in AI safety, with potential for its model to be adopted by other countries seeking to navigate the challenges posed by advanced AI technology.
Looking ahead, Donelan envisions the November summit as the first of many to address frontier risks and ensure the long-term process of international collaboration. Given the rapid pace of change in AI, the summit may need to be held more frequently than annually. The hope is that these gatherings will become a fixture in the schedules of AI stakeholders worldwide, rotating among different countries to foster global engagement and cooperation.
In summary, while the UK is not aiming to create a global AI regulator, it is spearheading efforts to establish international networks, frameworks, and collaborations to manage and mitigate the risks associated with AI. The upcoming AI safety summit will serve as an opportunity to showcase the UK’s Frontier AI Taskforce and foster dialogue and cooperation among countries. With the rapid advancement of AI technology, it is crucial for nations to work together to navigate the challenges posed by frontier models and ensure the responsible development and deployment of AI systems.
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