Global: UK to Establish Pioneering AI Safety Institute, Announces PM Sunak Ahead of Summit

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak declared on Thursday that the United Kingdom will establish the world’s first institute dedicated to artificial intelligence (AI) safety, in preparation for an upcoming global summit he has convened to explore the risks associated with AI technology.

The primary purpose of this institute will be to “scrutinize, assess, and test new AI models, enabling us to comprehend the capabilities of each new model, exploring all potential risks, ranging from social biases and misinformation to the most severe threats,” he affirmed.

Scheduled to take place at Bletchley Park on November 1-2, the summit will bring together AI companies, political leaders, and experts to address what some perceive as an existential peril posed by AI. The aim is to establish an international consensus on its secure development.

Sunak aspires for the UK to become a global leader in AI safety, positioning itself between the competitive economic blocs of the United States, China, and the European Union in the post-Brexit landscape.

Approximately 100 participants are set to deliberate on topics including the unpredictable strides in AI and the potential for humans to lose control of the technology, according to the event’s agenda.

While acknowledging the positive aspects of AI, such as its contributions to economic growth and human capabilities, Sunak also stressed the technology’s associated risks and anxieties.

“It is my responsibility to confront these concerns directly, ensuring your safety, while also ensuring you and your children have all the opportunities that AI can bring for a brighter future,” he emphasized.

The UK government has already published a report on “frontier” AI, focusing on cutting-edge general-purpose models, which will be at the center of the summit’s discussions. The report provides insights into risks such as societal harm, misuse, and loss of control, as per the government.

Notable attendees at the upcoming summit include U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis. Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden announced that China is expected to participate, while European Commission Vice President Vera Jourova has been invited.

In May, leaders from the Group of Seven (G7) economies called for the establishment of standards to promote trustworthy AI and the creation of a ministerial forum known as the Hiroshima AI process. The G7 comprises Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, the United States, and the European Union.