A group of influential UK members of parliament (MPs) has recommended that the government collaborate with democratic allies to combat the potential misuse of artificial intelligence (AI). The Science, Innovation, and Technology Committee (SITC) advised aligning with like-minded nations to collectively guard against both state-affiliated and non-state actors seeking to misuse AI. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak plans to host a summit in November to establish AI guidelines, positioning the UK as a central hub for AI regulation and innovation.
In a significant move, a group of influential members of parliament (MPs) in the United Kingdom has recommended that the government collaborate with democratic allies to address the potential misuse of artificial intelligence (AI). The Science, Innovation, and Technology Committee (SITC), which advises the government, has urged the UK to align with like-minded nations that share democratic values. This collaborative effort aims to collectively safeguard against actors, whether state-affiliated or not, who may seek to misuse AI for their objectives.
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced plans to convene a summit in early November that will bring together global leaders and tech industry representatives at Bletchley Park, a historic World War Two code-breaking center. The primary goal of this summit is to establish guidelines for the responsible use of AI. By doing so, the UK intends to assume a more substantial role in both regulating AI and positioning itself as a central hub for AI innovation and development.
The SITC's report highlights the significant risks associated with AI, including its potential to spread deep-fake content that can deceive the public. Additionally, it underscores concerns about bad actors leveraging AI to develop new biological and chemical weapons.
The House of Commons Culture, Media, and Sport Committee recently recommended that the government abandon proposals that would grant AI developers unrestricted access to train their systems using pre-existing music, literature, and art. In a separate report issued on August 30, the committee cautioned against the government's initial proposal to exempt AI-driven text and data mining from copyright protections. Such an exemption could potentially diminish the value of arts and culture, relegating them to mere resources for AI advancement.
Within the government, discussions have arisen about the potential inclusion of China in the November meeting. According to sources with knowledge of the situation cited by Bloomberg, this gathering is anticipated to include industry executives as well as the leaders of the Group of Seven nations.
The SITC report advises the government to draft an AI bill for deliberation during an upcoming session of parliament on November 7. Failing to do so could result in the UK falling behind other legislative efforts, notably the ongoing discussions concerning the European Union's AI Act, according to the report.
(AMAKA NWAOKOCHA, CoinTelegraph, 2023)