Nearly thirty countries have agreed to come together to create a safer and more responsible future for artificial intelligence.
The deal comes as major countries and companies converged on Bletchley Park on November 1 as part of a British-led initiative, led by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and has been described as a ‘world first’.
The Bletchley Declaration on AI safety now has the support of countries such as Britain, the US, China and countries in the European Union.
World’s first AI declaration agreed by Britain, US, China and more
A British government announcement states: “The Declaration meets the key objectives of the Summit by establishing shared agreement and responsibility on the risks, opportunities, and a forward process for international cooperation on cutting-edge AI safety and research.”
According to the announcement, participating countries agreed that “substantial risks” could be possible in cases of misuse, with a focus on cybersecurity, biotechnology and disinformation.
The agreement summarizes the “potential for serious, even catastrophic harm, intentional or unintentional, resulting from the key capabilities of these AI models.”
Sunak said: “This is a milestone in which the world’s leading AI powers agree on the urgency behind understanding the risks of AI – helping to secure the long-term future of our children and grandchildren.”
On the second and final day of the event, Sunak will speak with other notable figures, including Elon Musk.
Together, the countries pledge to engage in a “global dialogue,” sharing key findings and security challenges to ensure the safety of citizens around the world.
Summit participants have already agreed to meet again in 2024, although it is not yet clear whether a formal event will take place annually. However, with greater cooperation between governments and companies, it is at least hoped that risks can be mitigated before damage is done.