In Seoul summit, heads of states and companies commit to AI safety
Government officials and AI industry executives came together in Seoul to discuss and agree on implementing essential safety measures in the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence. This summit, hosted by Britain and South Korea, follows the previous global summit on AI safety held at Bletchley Park in England. The event in Seoul highlighted the growing challenges and opportunities that AI technology presents to the world.
The British government revealed a new agreement between 10 countries and the European Union to establish an international network similar to the U.K.'s AI Safety Institute. This network aims to accelerate the progress of AI safety science by fostering a shared understanding of AI safety and aligning efforts with research, standards, and testing. Countries including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, the U.K., and the U.S. have all signed this agreement.
Global Leaders Discuss AI Safety
During the first day of the AI Summit in Seoul, leaders from around the world and prominent AI companies participated in a virtual meeting led by U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol. The discussions centered on AI safety, innovation, and inclusion. The leaders collectively endorsed the Seoul Declaration, emphasizing the importance of international collaboration in leveraging AI to tackle global challenges, uphold human rights, and bridge digital divides while prioritizing a "human-centric, trustworthy, and responsible" approach.
Sunak expressed his enthusiasm for the advancements in AI technology, highlighting the U.K.'s leadership in hosting the world's first AI Safety Summit. He emphasized the necessity of ensuring the safety of AI to fully realize its benefits. The establishment of a network of AI Safety Institutes was a significant outcome of the summit, demonstrating the commitment to AI safety.
Commitments from AI Companies
Furthermore, the world witnessed the unveiling of the world's first AI Safety Commitments by 16 leading AI companies, including giants like Amazon, Google, IBM, Meta, and Microsoft. These companies, hailing from various countries such as the U.S., China, and the UAE, have pledged to refrain from developing or deploying any AI model or system if the associated risks cannot be kept below acceptable thresholds. This collective effort aims to enhance transparency and accountability in the development of safe AI technologies.
Amidst these landmark agreements and commitments, the importance of AI safety and responsible innovation has been underscored, setting a precedent for global collaboration in advancing the field of artificial intelligence.
