29 Countries Reach Agreement On AI Risks and Opportunities
On November 1, 2023, a momentous event took place that could reshape the future of artificial intelligence (AI). Twenty-nine nations, including global heavyweights such as the U.S., the UK, the EU, and China, came together to sign the Bletchley Declaration at the AI Safety Summit 2023 in the UK’s historic Bletchley Park. This agreement signifies a shared understanding of the opportunities and challenges AI presents, emphasizing the need for unified action to navigate its most significant hurdles.
The Bletchley Declaration underscores the urgency to collectively comprehend and manage the potential risks AI could pose. The signatories agreed on the necessity for the technology’s safe and responsible development and deployment. This understanding is paramount in ensuring that AI’s benefits are realized without compromising safety and security.
The Declaration outlines a two-fold agenda to address AI risks. Firstly, it encourages identifying AI safety risks of shared concern and building a shared scientific and evidence-based understanding of these risks. The aim is to sustain this knowledge as AI capabilities continue to evolve, all within a broader global approach to understanding AI’s societal impact. Secondly, it advocates for building risk-based policies across the signatory nations to ensure safety in response to these risks, while acknowledging that approaches may vary based on national circumstances and legal frameworks.
Looking ahead, the Republic of Korea has agreed to co-host a mini virtual summit on AI in the next six months. This will be followed by France hosting the next in-person summit in the fall. These events will provide the opportunity for continued collaboration and discussion on AI safety issues, furthering the goals of the Bletchley Declaration.
Source: 29 Countries Reach Agreement On AI Risks and Opportunities | Privacy & Information Security Law Blog
