The U.S. and Britain have announced a groundbreaking partnership on the science of artificial intelligence (AI) safety, which is the first of its kind step toward global AI governance. This in many ways is a groundbreaking move forward toward the goal of recognizing and minimizing the risks posed by next-generation AI.
This move was announced as the U.S. Commerce Secretary and British Technology Secretary signed a memorandum of understanding in Washington on April 1st to jointly develop advanced AI model testing. The memorandum follows commitments announced at the AI Safety Summit in Bletchley Park in November.
What Are the Expected Dangers of AI?
The partnership between the two advanced countries begins to address expected dangers and potential risks associated with AI. These could include unintended consequences like AI-driven job displacement, election interference, and even the possibility of AI to overpower humans.
Moreover, there is also the risk of fraud as well. Especially concerning generative AI technologies capable of creating text, photos, and videos in response to AI prompts, the need for proactive safety measures is urgent.
The UK and U.S. Working Partnership Plans
Under a formal working partnership, the UK and the U.S. plan to perform at least one joint testing exercise on a publicly accessible model and are considering personnel exchanges between their respective AI safety institutes. Both countries are also working to establish similar partnerships with other nations, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation in promoting AI safety.
Managing Rapidly Evolving AI Technology
The joint venture is a visible response to managing rapidly evolving AI technology. This is especially important since the next generation of AI models is expected to be significantly more capable than the current generation. By sharing key information on capabilities and risks associated with AI models and systems, as well as technical research on AI safety and security, the partnership hopes to ensure that AI technologies are harnessed for good while minimizing, if not eradicating potential harm.
Key Takeaway
Developed countries around the world understand the risk from AI technology should be addressed early. The U.S.-Britain AI safety partnership represents a significant milestone in global AI governance. Both countries have shown they recognize the importance of working together to address the challenges posed by AI technologies. As the partnership develops more deeply, it’s expected to serve as a model for other nations looking to ensure the responsible development and deployment of AI.
