Amid mounting concerns surrounding the safety of upcoming next-generation artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, the United States and Britain announced a new collaborative partnership on Monday. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and British Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan inked a memorandum of understanding in Washington aimed at jointly advancing the science of AI safety.
The agreement, following commitments made at an AI Safety Summit in Bletchley Park last November, underscores the recognition of AI as a defining technology of our era. Raimondo emphasized that the partnership would expedite efforts to address national security risks and broader societal concerns associated with AI.
Both the US and Britain have been establishing government-led AI safety institutes, with Britain's initiative announced in October and the US launching its own institute in November. Under the formal partnership, joint testing exercises on publicly accessible AI models are planned, alongside potential personnel exchanges between the institutes. Furthermore, both nations are actively seeking similar collaborations with other countries to promote AI safety globally.
Donelan stressed the importance of urgent joint action to mitigate AI risks, particularly as more advanced AI models are on the brink of release. Meanwhile, Raimondo revealed plans to address AI issues at an upcoming meeting of the U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council.
In a move to bolster AI capabilities and safety measures, both countries intend to share crucial information on AI model capabilities and associated risks, as well as engage in collaborative technical research. This commitment is further reinforced by executive orders signed by President Biden and initiatives by the Commerce Department to enhance AI safety protocols.
Highlighting specific concerns, Raimondo expressed apprehension about the potential misuse of AI in scenarios such as bioterrorism or nuclear war simulations, stressing the need for zero tolerance in such cases. Both nations are aligning their efforts to ensure AI remains a force for good while effectively mitigating risks posed by its rapid advancements.