The two-day event will feature a virtual leaders’ session, co-chaired by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, and a subsequent in-person meeting among Digital Ministers. UK Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan, and Korean Minister of Science and ICT Lee Jong-Ho will co-host the latter.

This summit builds upon the historic Bletchley Park discussions held at the historic location in the UK last year, emphasising AI safety, inclusion, and innovation. It aims to ensure that AI advancements benefit humanity while minimising potential risks and enhancing global governance on tech innovation.

“The summit we held at Bletchley Park was a generational moment,” stated Donelan. “If we continue to bring international governments and a broad range of voices together, I have every confidence that we can continue to develop a global approach which will allow us to realise the transformative potential of this generation-defining technology safely and responsibly.”

Echoing this sentiment, Minister Lee Jong-Ho highlighted the importance of the upcoming Seoul Summit in furthering global cooperation on AI safety and innovation.

“AI is advancing at an unprecedented pace that exceeds our expectations, and it is crucial to establish global norms and governance to harness such technological innovations to enhance the welfare of humanity,” explained Lee. “We hope that the AI Seoul Summit will serve as an opportunity to strengthen global cooperation on not only AI safety but also AI innovation and inclusion, and promote sustainable AI development.”

Innovation remains a focal point for the UK, evidenced by initiatives like the Manchester Prize and the formation of the AI Safety Institute: the first state-backed organisation dedicated to AI safety. This proactive approach mirrors the UK’s commitment to international collaboration on AI governance, underscored by a recent agreement with the US on AI safety measures.

Accompanying the Seoul Summit will be the release of the International Scientific Report on Advanced AI Safety. This report, independently led by Turing Prize winner Yoshua Bengio, represents a collective effort to consolidate the best scientific research on AI safety. It underscores the summit’s role not only as a forum for discussion but as a catalyst for actionable insight into AI’s safe development.

The agenda of the AI Seoul Summit reflects the urgency of addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by AI. From discussing model safety evaluations, to fostering sustainable AI development. As the world embraces AI innovation, the AI Seoul Summit embodies a concerted effort to shape a future where technology serves humanity safely and delivers prosperity and inclusivity for all.

See also: US and Japan announce sweeping AI and tech collaboration

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The hub will be led by AI scientist and engineer Jordan Hoffmann, who previously distinguished himself as a pioneer at AI companies Inflection and DeepMind, which are also based in London.

“There is an enormous pool of AI talent and expertise in the UK, and Microsoft AI plans to make a significant, long-term investment in the region as we begin hiring the best AI scientists and engineers into this new AI hub,” said Mustafa Suleyman, EVP and CEO of Microsoft AI.

Suleyman, who co-founded AI startup Inflection before it was acquired by Microsoft, is a British citizen born and raised in London. “I’m proud to have co-founded and built a cutting-edge AI business here. I’m deeply aware of the extraordinary talent pool and AI ecosystem in the UK,” he commented.

Microsoft has an existing AI research presence in the UK through its Microsoft Research lab in Cambridge. However, the new dedicated Microsoft AI London hub signals the company’s increased commitment to advancing the field in Britain.

The investment builds upon Microsoft’s recently announced £2.5 billion pledge to upskill the UK workforce and build AI infrastructure – including bringing 20,000 advanced GPUs to the country by 2026.

Microsoft AI London will collaborate closely with other teams across Microsoft and partners like OpenAI. The company expects to post job openings in the coming weeks and is seeking “exceptional individuals” passionate about tackling AI’s biggest challenges.

“I know – through my close work with thought leaders in the UK government, business community, and academia – that the country is committed to advancing AI responsibly and with a safety-first commitment to drive investment, innovation, and economic growth,” said Suleyman.

“Our decision to open this hub in the UK reflects this ambition.”

(Photo by Charles Postiaux)

See also: Microsoft: China plans to disrupt elections with AI-generated disinformation

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The Memorandum of Understanding – signed Monday by UK Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan and US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo – establishes a partnership to align the scientific approaches of both countries in rapidly iterating robust evaluation methods for cutting-edge AI models, systems, and agents.

Under the deal, the UK’s new AI Safety Institute and the upcoming US organisation will exchange research expertise with the aim of mitigating AI risks, including how to independently evaluate private AI models from companies such as OpenAI. The partnership is modelled on the security collaboration between GCHQ and the National Security Agency.

“This agreement represents a landmark moment, as the UK and the United States deepen our enduring special relationship to address the defining technology challenge of our generation,” stated Donelan. “Only by working together can we address the technology’s risks head on and harness its enormous potential to help us all live easier and healthier lives.”

The partnership follows through on commitments made at the AI Safety Summit hosted in the UK last November. The institutes plan to build a common approach to AI safety testing and share capabilities to tackle risks effectively. They intend to conduct at least one joint public testing exercise on an openly accessible AI model and explore personnel exchanges.

Raimondo emphasised the significance of the collaboration, stating: “AI is the defining technology of our generation. 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.”

Both governments recognise AI’s rapid development and the urgent need for a shared global approach to safety that can keep pace with emerging risks. The partnership takes effect immediately, allowing seamless cooperation between the organisations.

“By working together, we are furthering the long-lasting special relationship between the US and UK and laying the groundwork to ensure that we’re keeping AI safe both now and in the future,” added Raimondo.

In addition to joint testing and capability sharing, the UK and US will exchange vital information about AI model capabilities, risks, and fundamental technical research. This aims to underpin a common scientific foundation for AI safety testing that can be adopted by researchers worldwide.

Despite the focus on risk, Donelan insisted the UK has no plans to regulate AI more broadly in the short term. In contrast, President Joe Biden has taken a stricter position on AI models that threaten national security, and the EU AI Act has adopted tougher regulations.

Industry experts welcomed the collaboration as essential for promoting trust and safety in AI development and adoption across sectors like marketing, finance, and customer service.

“Ensuring AI’s development and use are governed by trust and safety is paramount,” said Ramprakash Ramamoorthy of Zoho. “Taking safeguards to protect training data mitigates risks and bolsters confidence among those deploying AI solutions.”

Dr Henry Balani of Encompass added: “Mitigating the risks of AI, through this collaboration agreement with the US, is a key step towards mitigating risks of financial crime, fostering collaboration, and supporting innovation in a crucial, advancing area of technology.”

(Photo by Art Lasovsky)

See also: IPPR: 8M UK careers at risk of ‘job apocalypse’ from AI

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The report identifies two key stages of generative AI adoption. The first wave, which is already underway, exposes 11 percent of tasks performed by UK workers. Routine cognitive tasks like database management and organisational tasks like scheduling are most at risk. 

However, in a potential second wave, AI could handle a staggering 59 percent of tasks—impacting higher-earning jobs and non-routine cognitive work like creating databases.

Bhargav Srinivasa Desikan, Senior Research Fellow at IPPR, said: “We could see jobs such as copywriters, graphic designers, and personal assistants roles being heavily affected by AI. The question is how we can steer technological change in a way that allows for novel job opportunities, increased productivity, and economic benefits for all.”

“We are at a sliding doors moment, and policy makers urgently need to develop a strategy to make sure our labour market adapts to the 21st century, without leaving millions behind. It is crucial that all workers benefit from these technological advancements, and not just the big tech corporations.”

IPPR modelled three scenarios for the second wave’s impact:

• Worst case: 7.9 million jobs lost with no GDP gains
• Central case: 4.4 million jobs lost but 6.3 percent GDP growth (£144bn/year) 
• Best case: No jobs lost and 13 percent GDP boost (£306bn/year) from augmenting at-risk jobs

IPPR warns the worst-case displacement is possible without government intervention, urging a “job-centric” AI strategy with fiscal incentives, regulation ensuring human oversight, and support for green jobs less exposed to automation.

The analysis underscores the disproportionate impact on certain demographics, with women and young people bearing the brunt of job displacement. Entry-level positions, predominantly occupied by these groups, face the gravest jeopardy as AI encroaches on roles such as secretarial and customer service positions.

Carsten Jung, Senior Economist at IPPR, said: “History shows that technological transition can be a boon if well managed, or can end in disruption if left to unfold without controls. Indeed, some occupations could be hard hit by generative AI, starting with back office jobs.

“But technology isn’t destiny and a jobs apocalypse is not inevitable – government, employers, and unions have the opportunity to make crucial design decisions now that ensure we manage this new technology well. If they don’t act soon, it may be too late.”

A full copy of the report can be found here (PDF)

(Photo by Cullan Smith)

See also: Stanhope raises £2.3m for AI that teaches machines to ‘make human-like decisions’

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The report states that MGX — a state-backed group in Abu Dhabi — is in discussions to support OpenAI’s venture to build AI chips in-house. This information comes from two individuals with knowledge of the discussions.

In order to achieve its goal of creating semiconductor chips internally, OpenAI is reportedly seeking investments worth trillions of dollars from investors worldwide. By manufacturing its own chips, the San Francisco-based company aims to reduce its reliance on Nvidia, the current global leader in semiconductor chip technology.

As part of its funding efforts, OpenAI struck a deal with Thrive Capital in February 2023, which reportedly increased the company’s valuation to more than $80 billion, marking an almost threefold increase in under 10 months.

This comes as the UK semiconductor sector gains enhanced access to research funding through the country’s participation in the EU’s ‘Chips Joint Undertaking’.

The UK’s participation in the Chips Joint Undertaking provides the British semiconductor sector with enhanced access to a €1.3 billion pot of funds set aside from Horizon Europe to support research in semiconductor technologies up to 2027. The move is backed by an initial £5 million from the UK government this year, with an additional £30 million due to support UK participation in further research between 2025 and 2027.

“Our membership of the Chips Joint Undertaking will boost Britain’s strengths in semiconductor science and research to secure our position in the global chip supply chain,” said Technology Minister Saqib Bhatti. “This underscores our unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of technology and cements our important role in shaping the future of semiconductor technologies around the world.”

Back in the UAE, MGX — the group behind the potential investment in OpenAI — is an AI-focused fund launched earlier this week and headed by the UAE’s national security adviser, Sheikh Tahnoon Bin Zayed al-Nahyan. The fund was established in collaboration with G42 and Mubadala, with G42 having already entered into a partnership with OpenAI in October 2023 as part of the company’s Middle East expansion.

During the G42 partnership deal, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman stated that they plan to bring AI solutions to the Middle East that “resonate with the nuances of the region.”

One of the sources briefed on the MGX fund emphasised, “They’re looking at creating a structure that will put Abu Dhabi at the centre of this AI strategy with global partners around the world.”

As the race to develop cutting-edge semiconductor technologies intensifies, both the UAE and the UK-EU are positioning themselves as key players.

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See also: EU approves controversial AI Act to mixed reactions

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French Minister for Higher Education and Research, Sylvie Retailleau, is scheduled to meet with UK Secretary of State Michelle Donelan in London today for discussions marking a pivotal moment in bilateral scientific cooperation.

Building upon a rich history of collaboration that has yielded groundbreaking innovations such as the Concorde and the Channel Tunnel, the ministers will endorse a joint declaration aimed at deepening research ties between the two nations. This includes a commitment of £800,000 in new funding towards joint research efforts, particularly within the framework of Horizon Europe.

A landmark partnership between the UK’s AI Safety Institute and France’s Inria will also be unveiled, signifying a shared commitment to the responsible development of AI technology. This collaboration is timely, given France’s upcoming hosting of the AI Safety Summit later this year—which aims to build upon previous agreements and discussions on frontier AI testing achieved during the UK edition last year.

Furthermore, the establishment of the French-British joint committee on Science, Technology, and Innovation represents an opportunity to foster cooperation across a range of fields, including low-carbon hydrogen, space observation, AI, and research security.

UK Secretary of State Michelle Donelan said:

“The links between the UK and France’s brightest minds are deep and longstanding, from breakthroughs in aerospace to tackling climate change. It is only right that we support our innovators, to unleash the power of their ideas to create jobs and grow businesses in concert with our closest neighbour on the continent.

Research is fundamentally collaborative, and alongside our bespoke deal on Horizon Europe, this deepening partnership with France – along with our joint work on AI safety – is another key step in realising the UK’s science superpower ambitions.”

The collaboration between the UK and France underscores their shared commitment to advancing scientific research and innovation, with a focus on emerging technologies such as AI and quantum.

Sylvie Retailleau, French Minister of Higher Education and Research, commented:

“This joint committee is a perfect illustration of the international component of research – from identifying key priorities such as hydrogen, AI, space and research security – to enabling collaborative work and exchange of ideas and good practices through funding.

Doing so with a trusted partner as the UK – who just associated to Horizon Europe – is a great opportunity to strengthen France’s science capabilities abroad, and participate in Europe’s strategic autonomy openness.”

As the UK continues to deepen its engagement with global partners in the field of science and technology, these bilateral agreements serve as a testament to its ambition to lead the way in scientific discovery and innovation on the world stage.

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See also: UK Home Secretary sounds alarm over deepfakes ahead of elections

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Speaking to The Times, Cleverly emphasised the rapid advancement of AI technology and its potential to undermine elections not just in the UK but globally. He warned that malign actors working on behalf of nations like Russia and Iran could generate thousands of highly realistic deepfake images and videos to disrupt the democratic process.

“Increasingly today the battle of ideas and policies takes place in the ever-changing and expanding digital sphere,” Cleverly told the newspaper. “The era of deepfake and AI-generated content to mislead and disrupt is already in play.”

The Home Secretary plans to urge collective action from Silicon Valley giants like Google, Meta, Apple, and YouTube when he meets with them this week. His aim is to implement “rules, transparency, and safeguards” to protect democracy from deepfake disinformation.

Cleverly’s warnings come after a series of deepfake audios imitating Labour leader Keir Starmer and London Mayor Sadiq Khan circulated online last year. Fake BBC News videos purporting to examine PM Rishi Sunak’s finances have also surfaced.

The tech meetings follow a recent pact signed by major AI companies like Adobe, Amazon, Google, and Microsoft during the Munich Security Conference to take “reasonable precautions” against disruptions caused by deepfake content during elections worldwide.

As concerns over the proliferation of deepfakes continue to grow, the world must confront the challenges they pose in shaping public discourse and potentially influencing electoral outcomes.

(Image Credit: Lauren Hurley / No 10 Downing Street under OGL 3 license)

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Analysing job listings data, the report by AIPRM found that – between 2017 and 2022 – the average yearly growth rate for AI hiring was 1.2% in the US. This compares to 1.22% in the UK over the same period. 

The UK’s strong performance means it outpaced other major economies like India (1.19% growth), Canada (1.26%), and Brazil (1.21%).

“Despite consistent expansion of the AI job market in America, the pace of growth lagged slightly behind other countries like Britain,” said John Smith, lead author of the report. 

As well as analysing hiring trends, the report also identified the highest paying and most in-demand AI jobs in the US. The top position goes to Director of Data Science, with an average salary of £200,263. 

AI Architects take second place, earning approximately £197,431 per year on average. The technical skills required for this role include architecture, AWS, business intelligence, and DataOps.

Various other roles in data science and machine learning all boast median average salaries exceeding £150,000.

California was also highlighted as a major AI hub, accounting for over a quarter (27%) of listings across the whole US. This is more than double the next highest state, New York, at 13%.

Discussing what’s driving the promising growth forecasts, Smith said: “Rapid advances in AI technology have unlocked exciting new capabilities for businesses across many sectors. As companies look to capitalise on areas like computer vision and natural language processing, we can expect demand for skilled AI workers to keep accelerating.”

However, he also warned of potential headwinds due to growing debate around AI regulation. 

“Policymakers still need to strike the right balance between innovation and ethics. Getting this right will help the AI job market continue thriving.” concludes Smith.

The full statistics can be found here.

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See also: Bank of England Governor: AI won’t lead to mass job losses

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The investment comes at a vital time, as research from Thoughtworks shows 91% of British people argue that government regulations must do more to hold businesses accountable for their AI systems. The public wants more transparency, with 82% of consumers favouring businesses that proactively communicate how they are regulating general AI.

In a government response published today to last year’s AI Regulation White Paper consultation, the UK outlined its context-based approach to regulation that empowers existing regulators to address AI risks in a targeted way, while avoiding rushed legislation that could stifle innovation.

However, the government for the first time set out its thinking on potential future binding requirements for developers building advanced AI systems, to ensure accountability for safety – a measure 68% of the public said was needed in AI regulation. 

The response also revealed all key regulators will publish their approach to managing AI risks by 30 April, detailing their expertise and plans for the coming year. This aims to provide confidence to businesses and citizens on transparency. However, 30% still don’t think increased AI regulation is actually for their benefit, indicating scepticism remains.

Additionally, nearly £90 million was announced to launch nine new research hubs across the UK and a US partnership focused on responsible AI development. Separately, £2 million in funding will support projects defining responsible AI across sectors like policing – with 56% of the public wanting improved user education around AI.

Tom Whittaker, Senior Associate at independent UK law firm Burges Salmon, said: “The technology industry will welcome the large financial investment by the UK government to support regulators continuing what many see as an agile and sector-specific approach to AI regulation.

“The UK government is trying to position itself as pro-innovation for AI generally and across multiple sectors.  This is notable at a time when the EU is pushing ahead with its own significant AI legislation that the EU consider will boost trustworthy AI but which some consider a threat to innovation.”

Science Minister Michelle Donelan said the UK’s “innovative approach to AI regulation” has made it a leader in both AI safety and development. She said the agile, sector-specific approach allows the UK to “grip the risks immediately”, paving the way for it to reap AI’s benefits safely.

The wide-ranging funding and initiatives aim to cement the UK as a pioneer in safe AI innovation while assuaging public concerns. This builds on previous commitments like the £100 million AI Safety Institute to evaluate emerging models. 

Greg Hanson, GVP and Head of Sales EMEA North at Informatica, commented: “Undoubtedly, greater AI regulation is coming to the UK. And demand for this is escalating – especially considering half (52%) of UK businesses are already forging ahead with generative AI, above the global average of 45%.

“Yet with the adoption of AI, comes new challenges. Nearly all businesses in the UK who have adopted AI admit to having encountered roadblocks. In fact, 43% say AI governance is the main obstacle, closely followed by AI ethics (42%).”

Overall, the package of measures amounts to over £100 million of new funding towards the UK’s mission to lead on safe and responsible AI progress. This balances safely harnessing AI’s potential economic and societal benefits with a targeted approach to regulating very real risks.

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See also: Bank of England Governor: AI won’t lead to mass job losses

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The trial, called Trusted Operation of Robotic Vehicles in Contested Environments (TORVICE), was held in Australia under the AUKUS partnership formed last year between the three countries. It aimed to test robotic vehicles and sensors in situations involving electronic attacks, GPS disruption, and other threats to evaluate the resilience of autonomous systems expected to play a major role in future military operations.

Understanding how to ensure these AI systems can operate reliably in the face of modern electronic warfare and cyber threats will be critical before the technology can be more widely adopted.  

The TORVICE trial featured US and British autonomous vehicles carrying out reconnaissance missions while Australia units simulated battlefield electronic attacks on their systems. Analysis of the performance data will help strengthen protections and safeguards needed to prevent system failures or disruptions.

Guy Powell, Dstl’s technical authority for the trial, said: “The TORVICE trial aims to understand the capabilities of robotic and autonomous systems to operate in contested environments. We need to understand how robust these systems are when subject to attack.

“Robotic and autonomous systems are a transformational capability that we are introducing to armies across all three nations.” 

This builds on the first AUKUS autonomous systems trial held in April 2023 in the UK. It also represents a step forward following the AUKUS defense ministers’ December announcement that Resilient and Autonomous Artificial Intelligence Technologies (RAAIT) would be integrated into the three countries’ military forces beginning in 2024.

Dstl military advisor Lt Col Russ Atherton says that successfully harnessing AI and autonomy promises to “be an absolute game-changer” that reduces the risk to soldiers. The technology could carry out key tasks like sensor operation and logistics over wider areas.

“The ability to deploy different payloads such as sensors and logistics across a larger battlespace will give commanders greater options than currently exist,” explained Lt Atherton.

By collaborating, the AUKUS allies aim to accelerate development in this crucial new area of warfare, improving interoperability between their forces, maximising their expertise, and strengthening deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region.

As AUKUS continues to deepen cooperation on cutting-edge military technologies, this collaborative effort will significantly enhance military capabilities while reducing risks for warfighters.

(Image Credit: Dstl)

See also: Experts from 30 nations will contribute to global AI safety report

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