I am pleased to provide the House with an update on developments in the UK’s Government’s artificial intelligence policy in recent months.
AI promises to revolutionise our economy, society and everyday lives, bringing with it enormous opportunities but also significant new risks. Led by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, the UK has established itself as a world leader in driving responsible, safe AI innovation and has committed to host the first major international summit of its kind on the safe use of AI, to be held at Bletchley Park on 1 and 2 November 2023.
AI Safety Summit
The AI safety summit will bring together key countries, as well as leading technology organisations, academia and civil society to inform rapid national and international action at the frontier of AI development. The summit will focus on risks created or significantly exacerbated by the most powerful AI systems. For example, the proliferation of access to information that could undermine biosecurity. In turn, the summit will also consider how safe frontier AI can be used for public good and to improve people’s lives—from lifesaving medical technology to safer transport. It will build on important initiatives already being taken forward in other international fora, including at the UN, OECD, G7 and G20, by agreeing practical next steps to address risks from frontier AI.
On 4 September, the Government launched the start of formal pre-summit engagement with countries and a number of frontier AI organisations. As part of an iterative and consultative process, the Government published the five objectives that will be progressed. These build upon initial stakeholder consultation and evidence gathering, and will frame the discussion up to and at the summit:
a shared understanding of the risks posed by frontier AI and the need for action;
a forward process for international collaboration on frontier AI safety, including how best to support national and international frameworks;
appropriate measures that individual organisations should take to increase frontier AI safety;
areas for potential collaboration on AI safety research, including evaluating model capabilities and the development of new standards to support governance; and
showcase how ensuring the safe development of AI will enable AI to be used for good globally.
I look forward to keeping Parliament updated as plans for the summit progress.
Frontier AI Taskforce
Frontier AI models hold enormous potential to power economic growth, drive scientific progress and wider public benefits, while also posing potential safety risks if not developed responsibly. Earlier this year, the Government announced £100 million to set up an expert taskforce to help the UK adopt the next generation of safe AI—the first of its kind.