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A landmark agreement on artificial intelligence (AI) between the US and the UK will see both countries align their approaches to tackling the new risks that the technology poses.
Technology secretary Michelle Donelan and US commerce secretary Gina Raimondo said the partnership will see both countries develop ways to evaluate AI models, systems, and agents.
A recent report warned that eight million UK jobs could be at risk from AI, while both the White House and the European Parliament have approved laws this year to reduce the risks of the technology and improve transparency.
The UK and US AI safety institutes have laid out plans to build a common approach to AI safety testing and intend to perform at least one joint testing exercise on a publicly accessible model. The agreement also proposes sharing a pool of experts between the institutes.
“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,” Donelan said.
“We have always been clear that ensuring the safe development of AI is a shared global issue. 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.”
Today’s announcement will also see both countries sharing information about the capabilities and risks associated with AI models and systems, as well as fundamental technical research on AI safety and security.
Around half the world’s population have the chance to vote in elections this year, including populations in the UK and the US. In recent months, disinformation has been proliferating on social networks – much of which is created using AI tools.
Raimondo said: “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. Our partnership makes clear that we aren’t running away from these concerns – we’re running at them. Because of our collaboration, our institutes will gain a better understanding of AI systems, conduct more robust evaluations, and issue more rigorous guidance.”
