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The Department for Science, Technology and Innovation has just published its goals for the AI Safety Summit taking place on November 1-2 in Bletchley Park, the home of the WW2 codebreakers. The date and location of the Summit were announced in late August.
Key countries and organisations working on frontier models, the most powerful AI systems, have been invited and formal engagement is starting this week by the DSIT Secretary of State Michelle Donelan and The Prime Minister’s Representatives for the AI Safety Summit Matt Clifford and Jonathan Black.
The Summit will focus on risks and opportunities created by frontier models, including how safe AI can be used to improve people’s lives, such as for drug discovery and transport. The statement mentions that leading technology organisations, academia and civil society will also be included in the Summit. Although further detail on what this engagement will look like is yet to be confirmed.
The Government has just highlighted the five objectives it will attempt to progress;
a shared understanding of the risks posed by frontier AI and the need for action
a forward process for international collaboration on frontier AI safety, including how best to support national and international frameworks
appropriate measures which individual organisations should take to increase frontier AI safety
areas for potential collaboration on AI safety research, including evaluating model capabilities and the development of new standards to support governance
showcase how ensuring the safe development of AI will enable AI to be used for good globally
The Government has stated that these objectives are based on initial consultation and will build on the work that has already been done in other jurisdictions and by international organisations like the OECD.
Other outcomes for the Summit include;
identifying most important areas for international collaboration to support safe frontier AI
a roadmap for longer-term action
how to operationalise risk-mitigation measures at frontier AI organisations
Further details on exactly how the two-day summit will be run, and who will be invited to which part, is yet to be confirmed.
We’re pleased to see from today’s announcement that Government has committed to bringing together technology organisations, academia, and civil society as part of the Summit. These organisations, both large and small, which have deep-rooted expertise in the field of AI safety, will be integral to identifying the opportunities and risks associated with frontier models and are well-positioned to help support the implementation of agreed initiatives post-Summit.
techUK will be running a series of events and activities in the build-up to the AI Summit to help determine what a good outcome for the Summit looks like. Please contact Katherine if you would like to discuss this further - [email protected]
Katherine joined techUK in May 2018 and currently leads the Data Analytics, AI and Digital ID programme.
