International Efforts to Secure a Safe Future with AI

On the 1st of April, a significant stride was taken towards managing the advancing frontier of artificial intelligence. The UK and the US, in a landmark agreement, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) dedicated to the joint development of evaluations for the most advanced AI models. This agreement, emerging from the foundational talks at the AI Safety Summit in Bletchley Park last November, is a testament to the global effort required to harness the benefits of AI while mitigating its risks.

Signed by UK Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan and US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, this collaboration aims to synchronise the scientific methodologies of both nations in evaluating AI technologies. "This partnership is going to accelerate both of our Institutes’ work across the full spectrum of risks, whether to our national security or to our broader society. Our partnership makes clear that we aren’t running away from these concerns—we’re running at them," Raimondo stated.

In parallel, the EU and the US have reiterated their commitment to a risk-based approach to AI, vowing to advance safe, secure, and trustworthy AI technologies. This commitment is part of the broader dialogue under the Trade and Technology Council (TTC), focusing on implementing policy approaches that balance AI's potential benefits against its possible harms. "The dedicated coordination under the TTC continues to be instrumental to implementing our respective policy approaches," affirmed the EU-US joint statement, indicating the critical role of international cooperation in shaping the future of AI governance.

The UK and US AI Safety Institutes have outlined plans for a common approach to AI safety testing, including joint testing exercises on publicly accessible AI models. This collaboration aims to enhance safety measures and facilitate an exchange of expertise between the institutes, enriching the global knowledge pool on AI safety protocols.

In the US, the Artist Rights Alliance is rallying support against the misuse of AI in the arts. Over 200 artists have signed an open letter demanding a halt to AI's predatory use that threatens to undermine human creativity and rights. "We must protect against the predatory use of AI to steal professional artists’ voices and likenesses, violate creators’ rights, and destroy the music ecosystem," the letter reads, echoing a global plea for ethical AI use in the creative industry. 

As we venture further into integrating AI into our societal fabric, the roles and priorities of the US/UK AI Safety Institutes remain an open question. Will their focus lean towards mitigating the immediate risks associated with narrow AI applications, or will they also cast their gaze into the future, addressing the broader implications of general-purpose AI? Equally pressing is whether their regulatory frameworks will prioritise the capabilities of AI systems or extend into the domain of regulating the data these systems are trained on. This dual focus on capabilities and training data underscores a critical juncture in AI governance, promising to shape the trajectory of technological advancement in ways that ensure safety and respect for intellectual property. As UK Tech Minister Michelle Donelan aptly notes, addressing the complexities of AI is "the defining technology challenge of our generation."

If you want to delve deeper into the challenges of AI governance, the regulation of synthetic media, and the global security implications of AI advancements, join us on Discord at https://discord.gg/32EXTWNEfe. Here, we can collaborate, share insights, and contribute to shaping the future of AI in a manner that safeguards our security, democratic values, and fosters responsible innovation.