(Alliance News) – Rishi Sunak will tell tech leaders he wants to make the UK the intellectual and geographic home for AI regulation.
Speaking at the opening of London Technology Week on Monday, the prime minister will say the “extraordinary” potential of AI developments must be “implemented gracefully” with Britain positioned as a possible home for a global regulator.
It comes after the Conservative Party leader used a trip to the US last week to announce that the UK will host the first global summit on AI security.
In his comments ahead of his appearance at the 10th Technology Week in London, the Prime Minister will say: “We’ve already seen AI helping paralyzed people walk and discovering antibiotics that kill bacteria, and this is just the beginning.
“The possibilities are extraordinary. But we must do it safely and we will.”
“I want to make the UK not only the intellectual home, but also the geographic home of global AI safety regulation.”
The UK government has already awarded £100m to the Foundation Model Task Force that has been set up to lead the UK’s AI security.
US President Joe Biden told Sunak during his visit to Washington, D.C., that he expects the British leader to “lead the way” in creating internationally coordinated action to mitigate emerging technology risks.
Addressing broadcasters in the US, Sunak said he believed Britain was “well placed” to take a leading role in developing a “global structure for regulation”.
The crackdown comes after experts, including the heads of companies such as Google DeepMind and Anthropic, publicly warned that artificial intelligence could be used in the wrong hands to harm people and spell the end of humanity.
At Monday’s conference, Sunak will outline the need to bring together academics, leading technology companies and government to realize AI benefits that have the potential to improve lives, according to Number 10.
Sunak will also say the UK needs to “act fast” if it is to maintain its position as a technology hub, arguing that “the tectonic plates of technology are shifting”.
Home to the largest tech economy in Europe, Official No. 10 said it will ensure that the technology sector is at the heart of its priorities for the development of the economy.
Downing Street said Sunak will explain how the UK, with world-class universities, more technology universites than France and Germany combined and one of the most digitally educated societies in the world, is starting from a position of strength.
Sunak will pledge to make it his mission to ensure that the UK, which he calls an “island of innovation”, continues to attract technology investment.
He is expected to say that his government’s plan is to “make this country the best country in the world to start, grow and invest in technology companies.”
He told the audience at Westminster: “That’s my goal. And I feel an urgency and a responsibility to make sure we live up to it.”
Following his speech, the Prime Minister will engage in a “side chat” with Demis Hassabis, CEO of London-based Google DeepMind.
Joanna Shields, chief executive of Benevolent AI, said there were “limited opportunities for action” in terms of AI regulation, and was “delighted” that the UK was taking the issue seriously with a safety conference in the fall.
She said: “These critical initiatives are serving as a solid foundation and now it is essential that both the public and private sectors work closely together to tackle this massive challenge and put the UK at the forefront of AI regulation.”
Bobby Gustafson, CEO of Darktrace PLC, said: “The UK is in a fantastic position to be at the forefront of the AI revolution.
“I am excited to see this country focus on this agenda and actively seek to take advantage of the tremendous opportunities it creates.”
By Patrick Daly, Palestinian Authority Political Correspondent
Source: PA
Copyright 2023 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved. All rights reserved.
