The United States and China have approved a joint statement acknowledging the potential “catastrophic” risks posed by artificial intelligence (AI). The endorsement came during a first-ever global AI security summit hosted by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at Bletchley Park, the historic site associated with Britain’s Second World War codebreakers.

The Bletchley Declaration, signed by 28 nations, emphasizes the need for countries to work together to manage powerful AI technology. The statement refers to potentially “catastrophic” risks in areas such as cybersecurity, biotechnology and disinformation, as well as concerns about bias and privacy.

The participation of the United States and China, two leading AI powers, is considered crucial, given the presence of prominent AI developers such as ChatGPT maker OpenAI and Beijing tech giant Baidu under their jurisdictions. Despite criticism from his own party, Prime Minister Sunak extended an invitation to China, reflecting the importance of his participation.

Other nations supporting the deal include France, Japan, South Korea and Saudi Arabia. The statement calls for international cooperation as the best approach to address the risks associated with AI and emphasizes the need for its development and deployment in a safe and responsible manner.

The summit, which began with a video message from King Charles III, saw attendees agree to collaborate on AI security research and participate in future summits. A virtual mini-event jointly hosted by the UK and South Korea will take place in six months, followed by an in-person summit hosted by France next year.

While the statement marks an important step, the tech correspondent notes its lack of specific details. Delegates’ pledge to maintain an inclusive global dialogue and continue research on AI security is seen as a positive development. However, there is still a need for clarity on the prioritization of risks and the value system that policymakers will adopt to address emerging threats and opportunities.

The summit, which concludes today, brought together more than 100 figures from politics and business, including prominent names such as OpenAI’s Sam Altman, Google DeepMind’s Demis Hassabis and Tesla CEO Elon Musk. In particular, US Vice President Kamala Harris, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and a Chinese technology minister are attending, while leaders such as Canada’s Justin Trudeau, France’s Emmanuel Macron and Germany’s Olaf Scholz are absent

The summit aims to address both the potential benefits and risks associated with AI. Critics, including the TUC union, have expressed concern that the focus on hypothetical future threats overlooks the immediate risks and harms facing millions of people. They argue that small businesses and creatives, who have voiced their concerns, feel marginalized by the influence of big tech companies.

In conclusion, the adoption of the Bletchley Declaration by the US and China, along with other nations, underscores the global recognition of the potential risks posed by AI. Although the summit has initiated discussions and commitments to collaboration, the need for concrete actions and clear prioritization remains. The upcoming summits in the coming months and years will be crucial in shaping the future of AI and ensuring its responsible development and deployment.

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