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Landmark Agreement on Artificial Intelligence between US and UK
The United States and the United Kingdom have officially signed a groundbreaking agreement regarding artificial intelligence. This milestone signifies the first formal collaboration between these allies on the testing and evaluation of risks associated with emerging AI models. The accord, inked in Washington by UK Science Minister Michelle Donelan and US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo on Monday, outlines the shared commitment to pooling technical expertise, information, and talent to enhance AI safety.
Unprecedented Bilateral Arrangement on AI Safety
This historic agreement marks the world’s first bilateral arrangement specifically focused on AI safety. At a time when governments are intensifying efforts to regulate potential existential risks posed by new technologies, such as the application of AI in devastating cyber attacks or the creation of bioweapons, this collaboration sets a precedent for global AI governance. As Minister Donelan aptly stated, “The next year is when we’ve really got to act quickly because the next generation of [AI] models are coming out, which could be complete game-changers, and we don’t know the full capabilities that they will offer yet.”
Under this agreement, the UK’s recently established AI Safety Institute (AISI) and its American counterpart, which is slated to commence operations soon, will engage in the exchange of expertise through researcher secondments between the two countries. Additionally, these institutes will collaborate on the independent evaluation of private AI models developed by major industry players like OpenAI and Google.
Strategic Partnership Modeled on Intelligence Cooperation
Notably, this strategic partnership draws inspiration from the close collaboration between the UK’s Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) and the US National Security Agency, who work together on intelligence and security matters. Minister Donelan emphasized the significance of the US signing this agreement, highlighting how the UK’s leadership in AI safety has garnered international recognition. She underscored the importance of leveraging the US government’s expertise, given that many of the leading AI companies are currently based in the United States.
Despite the emphasis on AI safety research and the establishment of regulatory guardrails, the UK does not intend to enact broad regulations on AI technology in the immediate future, citing its rapid evolution as a limiting factor. This stance contrasts with approaches taken by other nations and regions, such as the EU’s stringent AI Act, President Joe Biden’s executive order targeting AI models with national security implications, and China’s guidelines aimed at preserving its existing censorship framework.
AI as the Pivotal Technology of Our Time
Commerce Secretary Raimondo underscored the transformative impact of AI, labeling it as “the defining technology of our generation.” She emphasized that the partnership between the US and the UK would accelerate the work of both AI safety institutes in addressing a wide range of risks, encompassing national security and broader societal implications. The collaborative effort aims to enhance understanding, conduct robust evaluations, and issue comprehensive guidance on AI systems.
The UK’s AISI, backed by the government and chaired by tech investor Ian Hogarth, has recruited esteemed researchers, including experts from Google DeepMind and the University of Oxford, to assess existing and forthcoming AI models. Tech giants such as OpenAI, Google DeepMind, Microsoft, and Meta have voluntarily committed to subjecting their latest generative AI models to review by the UK’s AISI, which was established following the AI Safety Summit at Bletchley Park.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s vision for the UK to play a central role in addressing AI development aligns with the institute’s objectives. Testing efforts have concentrated on mitigating risks associated with AI misuse, particularly in cybersecurity, drawing upon the expertise of the National Cyber Security Centre within GCHQ.
Future Collaborative Initiatives
Minister Donelan and Secretary Raimondo intend to address shared challenges, such as the impact of AI on upcoming elections, while also discussing the requisite computing infrastructure for AI. Their focus remains on enhancing collaboration to benefit the public and further deepen the partnership between both nations in navigating the complexities of AI technology.
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