G7 agrees to promote "responsible" AI use amid ChatGPT's rapid spread
The G7 nations have agreed to promote the "responsible" use of artificial intelligence (AI) during their two-day meeting in eastern Japan. As AI development continues at a fast pace, ChatGPT, an AI bot developed by US venture OpenAI, has been grabbing global attention since the launch of its prototype in November. The G7 ministers recognised the need for international standards to govern the technology.
The rapid development of AI has highlighted privacy concerns and risks of misuse. Therefore, the ministers have underlined the need for the responsible use of ChatGPT and other AI tools. The bot has reached 100 million users globally in less than three months, thanks to its ability to process and simulate human-like conversations.
The G7 ministers declared their intent to "create open and enabling environments for responsible AI innovation." To do so, they have endorsed an action plan aimed at promoting a broader stakeholder participation in developing international AI governance frameworks and promoting dialogue on risk assessment. The ministers have also noted the need to establish an international arrangement to help enhance the free flow of trusted data across national borders, an essential element in global trade's new digital era.
Data free flow with trust
The G7 ministers have also promoted Japan's concept of "data free flow with trust" to achieve the full potential of global economic growth without compromising the privacy and security of individuals and businesses.
The Japanese government aims to lay out a roadmap for future projects, such as the creation of a base registry that businesses can use to reference other countries' data regulations, under this institutional framework.
Internet governance and digital infrastructure
The G7 ministers have adopted separate action plans for internet governance and enhancing resilient digital infrastructure in light of geopolitical risks. The former seeks to collaborate in addressing network restrictions, internet shutdowns, and violations of human rights using digital tools, as well as fake news and other forms of disinformation.
In this meeting, ministers from Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United States plus the European Union voiced a commitment to constructing secure network infrastructure to support emerging and developing countries and promoting collaboration to improve the connectivity of undersea cables.
Five principles for policymakers to govern use of AI and other emerging technologies
The G7 joint statement cited five principles for policymakers to govern the use of AI and other emerging technologies:
- The rule of law
- Due process
- Democracy
- Respect for human rights
- Harnessing opportunities for innovation
One of these emerging technologies is cyber-physical systems, which send information from the real world through sensors and other devices to the digital world. The data can be analysed to generate insights and control physical processes in the future.
The meeting was chaired jointly by Digital Minister Taro Kono, Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura, and Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Takeaki Matsumoto. Ministers from India and Indonesia, this year's respective hosts of meetings of the Group of 20 major economies and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, as well as Ukraine also attended the meeting.
This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP) and has been edited for clarity and brevity.
