UK races to agree statement on AI risks with global leaders

Downing Street officials find themselves in a race against time to finalise an agreed communique from global leaders concerning the escalating concerns surrounding artificial intelligence. 

This hurried effort comes in anticipation of the UK’s AI Safety Summit scheduled next month at the historic Bletchley Park.

The summit, designed to provide an update on White House-brokered safety guidelines – as well as facilitate a debate on how national security agencies can...

10 October 2023 | Artificial Intelligence

UK deputy PM warns UN that AI regulation is falling behind advances

In a stark address to the UN, UK Deputy PM Oliver Dowden has sounded the alarm on the potentially destabilising impact of AI on the world order.

Dowden has urged governments to take immediate action to regulate AI development, warning that the rapid pace of advancement in AI technology could outstrip their ability to ensure its safe and responsible use.

Speaking at the UN General Assembly in New York, Dowden highlighted that the UK will host a global summit in November...

22 September 2023 | Artificial Intelligence

IFOW: AI can have a positive impact on jobs

In a world where sensational headlines about AI and autonomous robots dominate the media landscape, a new report sheds light on a different narrative.

The research, funded by the Nuffield Foundation, explores the nuanced impacts of AI adoption on jobs and work quality. Contrary to the doomsday predictions, the report suggests that AI could have a positive influence on employment and job quality.

The study, conducted by the Institute for the Future of Work (IFOW),...

20 September 2023 | Artificial Intelligence

CMA sets out principles for responsible AI development 

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has set out its principles to ensure the responsible development and use of foundation models (FMs).

FMs are versatile AI systems with the potential to revolutionise various sectors, from information access to healthcare. The CMA's report, published today, outlines a set of guiding principles aimed at safeguarding consumer protection and fostering healthy competition within this burgeoning industry.

Foundation models – known...

19 September 2023 | Artificial Intelligence

Is Europe killing itself financially with the AI Act?

Europe is tinkering with legislation to regulate artificial intelligence. European regulators are delighted with this, but what does the world say about the AI Act?

Now the outlines for the AI Act are known, a debate is beginning to erupt around its possible implications. One camp believes regulations are needed to curb the risks of powerful AI technology, while the other is convinced that regulation will prove pernicious for the European economy. Is it out of the...

18 September 2023 | Legislation & Government

UK to pitch AI’s potential for international development at UN

The UK is pitching its vision for leveraging AI’s potential to accelerate development in the world's most impoverished nations during the UN General Assembly (UNGA).

The vision was set out by UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and calls upon international partners to collaborate and coordinate their efforts in harnessing AI for development in Africa and making progress towards the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.

As part of its efforts, the UK is launching the 'AI...

18 September 2023 | Artificial Intelligence

White House secures safety commitments from eight more AI companies

The Biden-Harris Administration has announced that it has secured a second round of voluntary safety commitments from eight prominent AI companies.

Representatives from Adobe, Cohere, IBM, Nvidia, Palantir, Salesforce, Scale AI, and Stability attended the White House for the announcement. These eight companies have pledged to play a pivotal role in promoting the development of safe, secure, and trustworthy AI.

The Biden-Harris Administration is actively working on an...

13 September 2023 | Artificial Intelligence

UK’s AI ecosystem to hit £2.4T by 2027, third in global race

Projections released by the newly launched Global AI Ecosystem open-source knowledge platform indicate that the UK's AI sector is set to skyrocket from £1.36 trillion ($1.7 trillion) to £2.4 trillion ($3 trillion) by 2027. The findings suggest the UK is set to remain Europe's AI leader and secure third place in the global AI race behind the US and China.

The Global AI Ecosystem platform is developed with support from AI Industry Analytics (AiiA) and Deep Knowledge Group....

7 September 2023 | Artificial Intelligence

UK government outlines AI Safety Summit plans

The UK government has announced plans for the global AI Safety Summit on 1-2 November 2023.

The major event – set to be held at Bletchley Park, home of Alan Turing and other Allied codebreakers during the Second World War – aims to address the pressing challenges and opportunities presented by AI development on both national and international scales.

Secretary of State Michelle Donelan has officially launched the formal engagement process leading up to the summit....

4 September 2023 | Artificial Intelligence

‘UK AI Week in Bangkok’ showcases innovation and collaboration

The inaugural ‘UK AI Week in Bangkok’ was hosted by the British embassy to foster discussions on AI governance and applications.

Held between 15-18 August, the four-day event served as a dynamic platform to spotlight the country’s AI prowess and strengthen the growing partnership between the UK and Thailand.

The week kicked off with a high-level policy roundtable on 15th August at the Eastin Grand Hotel Phayathai, where esteemed experts and policymakers from both...

21 August 2023 | Artificial Intelligence