UK could become a global hub for ‘safe’ AI, says Rishi Sunak

Rishi Snack Pledged today to make Britain a global hub of ‘safety’ AI He praised the technology’s “extraordinary potential” to transform public services and the economy, using AI as a “co-pilot” for every job.

in a speech at London At Tech Week, the prime minister said there is potential for progress even surpassing the industrial revolution.

He pointed out that AI will help paralyzed people walk and discover new antibiotics to kill super-strong bacteria.

But in outlining his vision for the UK to become the home of AI regulation, he urgently called for guardrails to be put in place.

He said this could lead to “some would say existential, some would say very serious risks”. [they are] Alongside pandemics, nuclear war, and more.

The intervention comes after the prime minister announced last week that he would use his visit to the US to host the UK’s first international summit on AI safety.

“We’ve already seen AI help paralyzed patients walk and discover powerful insecticidal antibiotics, but that’s just the beginning,” Sunak said.

“The possibilities are staggering. But we have to do it safely and we will.

“I want the UK to be not just an intellectual home, but a geographic home for global AI safety regulation.”

“We are experiencing a technology tectonic shift,” Sunak said. “We cannot rest on our laurels,” he said.

“If we want to not only maintain our position as one of the world’s tech hubs, but also go further and make this country one of the best countries in the world to start, grow and invest in technology businesses, I We must act and act quickly.”

“That is my goal, and I feel a sense of urgency and responsibility that I must make sure that it is achieved.”

He said AI offers an “opportunity for human progress that could surpass the industrial revolution in both speed and breadth.”

The UK government has already donated £100m to the Foundation Model Task Force, set up to lead AI safety in the UK.

US President Joe Biden told Sunak during his stay in Washington, D.C., that he expects UK leaders to “lead the effort” to lead internationally coordinated actions to reduce the risks of emerging technologies. said there is.

Mr Sunak told the US broadcaster that he believed the UK was “well positioned” to play a leading role in creating a “global regulatory structure”.

The campaign comes after experts, including bosses at companies such as Google DeepMind and Anthropic, publicly warned that AI could harm people and spell the end of humanity if it falls into the wrong hands. was done.

After his speech, the prime minister participated in a “fireside chat” with Demis Hassabis, CEO of London-based Google DeepMind.

Joanna Shields, CEO of Benevolent AI, said there were “limited opportunities for action” on AI regulation, and that the UK was taking the issue seriously at its autumn safety conference. I’m happy,” he said.

“These important initiatives serve as a solid foundation and it is now imperative that both the public and private sectors work closely together to tackle this enormous challenge and put the UK at the forefront of AI regulation,” she said. rice field.

“The UK is in a great position to be at the forefront of the AI ​​revolution,” said Poppy Gustafson, CEO of Darktrace.

“I am thrilled to see the country committing to this agenda and actively seeking to capitalize on the tremendous opportunities this creates.”