A group of influential members of parliament (MPs) in the United Kingdom have recommended that the government collaborates with democratic allies to address the potential misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) technology. The Science, Innovation and Technology Committee (SITC), an advisory body to the government, published a report on August 31, calling for Britain to align with nations that share democratic values in order to collectively safeguard against actors who seek to misuse AI for their objectives.
The report emphasizes the need for London to be a key player in advancing the emerging technology and proposes that the UK convene a summit in early November. The summit, set to take place at Bletchley Park, a historic World War Two code-breaking center, aims to bring together global leaders and tech experts to establish guidelines for AI. This will enable the UK to assume a more substantial role in both regulating and becoming a central hub for the AI industry.
One of the key concerns highlighted in the report is AI’s capacity to spread deepfakes, which could deceive the public. It also raises the risk of bad actors leveraging the technology to develop new biological and chemical weapons. To address these concerns, the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee has recently urged the government to abandon proposals granting AI developers unrestricted access to train their systems using pre-existing music, literature, and art. The committee cautions that this could diminish the value of arts and culture and relegate them to mere resources for AI advancement.
Discussions within the UK government have also focused on the inclusion of China in the November meeting. While the gathering is set to convene the Group of Seven global leaders and industry executives, there are ongoing debates about whether China should be involved.
The SITC report recommends that the government drafts an AI bill for deliberation during the upcoming session of parliament on November 7. It warns that a failure to do so could result in the UK falling behind other legislative efforts, particularly the ongoing discussions concerning the EU’s AI Act.
Overall, the report highlights the need for the UK to collaborate with democratic allies to address the potential misuse of AI technology. By establishing guidelines and regulations, the UK aims to become a central hub for the AI industry while ensuring that the technology is used ethically and for the benefit of society. The upcoming summit in November will serve as a platform for global leaders and tech experts to discuss these important issues and lay the groundwork for a responsible and secure AI future.
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