According to a spokesperson, the European Union (EU) is contemplating sending officials to Britain’s upcoming summit on artificial intelligence (AI) safety. This development comes as the EU moves closer to finalizing comprehensive AI legislation, which would be the first of its kind worldwide.
Scheduled for November, the summit will be hosted by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and aims to bring together governments, technology companies, and academics to discuss the risks associated with technology. However, details about the guest list have been kept under wraps, leaving some companies uncertain about their invitation status.
The European Commission Vice President Vera Jourova has confirmed receiving a formal invitation to attend the summit. The spokesperson stated that they are currently deliberating on potential EU participation in this event.
The popularity and investment in AI have surged since OpenAI’s ChatGPT chatbot was launched. With an ambition to establish Britain as a global leader in regulating this rapidly evolving technology, Prime Minister Sunak’s objective aligns with the EU’s imminent implementation of its own AI Act – a pioneering legislation in this domain.
Under these forthcoming regulations, organizations utilizing AI systems deemed high risk by the EU will be required to register their activities and undergo rigorous risk assessments. Additionally, certain internal data will need to be made available to authorities.
However, according to reports from the Financial Times, British government officials prefer a less stringent approach towards AI regulation compared to their EU counterparts.
To prepare for the summit, technology expert Matt Clifford and former senior diplomat Jonathan Black have been appointed as leaders. Clifford expressed hope that this gathering would set the tone for future international discussions on AI regulation during an interview with Reuters last month.
While several world leaders are anticipated to attend the summit – including US Vice President Kamala Harris – it remains largely unknown who else has been invited or accepted invitations thus far.
Recently, there was controversy surrounding China’s invitation to participate in the summit. Jeremy Hunt, Britain’s finance minister, defended the decision by stating that ignoring the world’s second-largest economy would hinder efforts to create structures that ensure AI benefits humanity as a whole.
The brass tacks, the EU is deliberating whether to send officials to Britain’s upcoming AI safety summit. With both the EU and Britain working towards comprehensive AI legislation, this summit holds significant importance in shaping international debates on AI regulation. As more details emerge, it will be interesting to see how this event unfolds and what measures are proposed to address the risks associated with AI.
Apparently, “EU considering whether to attend Britain’s AI summit.”
