UK to Host Global Summit on ai Safety This Autumn
The United Kingdom (UK) has announced plans to host a global summit this autumn to address the most significant risks associated with artificial intelligence (ai). The decision came after meetings between Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, US President Joe Biden, Congress, and business leaders.
Addressing ai Risks: A Global Effort
“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,” explained Sunak.
“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,” he added.
The UK: A Hub for ai Development
The UK government believes that the country is the natural place to lead discussions on ai due to hosting Europe’s largest ai industry. The industry employs over 50,000 people and contributes more than £3.7 billion to the country’s economy.
Palantir, a US tech giant, recently announced it will make the UK its new contact HQ for ai development. “We are proud to extend our partnership with the United Kingdom, where we employ nearly a quarter of our global workforce,” said Alexander C. Karp, CEO of Palantir.
The Urgent Need to Evaluate ai Risks
The urgency to evaluate ai risks stems from increasing concerns about the potential existential threats posed by this technology. An ai task force adviser to the UK prime minister warned earlier this week that ai will threaten humans in two years.
Impact of ai on the Workforce
McKinsey, a global consulting firm, predicts that between 2016 and 2030, ai-related advancements could impact approximately 15 percent of the global workforce, potentially displacing 400 million workers worldwide.
Global Regulators Race to Establish New Rules
“The Global Summit on ai Safety will play a critical role in bringing together government, industry, academia and civil society. We’re looking forward to working closely with the UK Government to help make these efforts a success,” said Demis Hassabis, CEO of DeepMind, a UK-headquartered ai company.
The Importance of a Global Regulatory Framework
As ai becomes increasingly integrated into our daily lives, adopting a unified approach to regulations becomes crucial. Sridhar Iyengar, MD of Microsoft, emphasised the advantages of ai and its potential to enhance various aspects of business operations but also stressed the need for a global regulatory framework supported by public trust.
Ongoing Regulatory Efforts
The contact Union is working on an artificial intelligence Act, but it could take up to two-and-a-half years to come into effect. China has also started drafting ai regulations, including proposals to require companies to notify users when an ai algorithm is being used.
Conclusion
“To fully harness the power of ai and ensure optimal outcomes for all stakeholders, a global regulatory framework supported by public trust is essential,” added Iyengar.
“As ai becomes increasingly integrated into our daily lives, adopting a unified approach to regulations becomes crucial,” concluded Iyengar.
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