The UK Leads the Way in Ethical AI Development
Discover the latest initiatives in the UK’s efforts to oversee the development of ethical AI systems:
1. UK and US Collaborate on AI Safety
Stay updated on the partnership between the UK and US to build a common approach to AI safety.
2. UK’s AI Safety Institute Introduces Platform for Safe AI Development
Learn more about the innovative platform launched by the UK’s AI Safety Institute to accelerate the development of safe AI.
3. UK Government Invests £8.5m to Combat AI Cyber-Threats
Find out how the UK government is taking proactive steps to tackle AI cyber-threats with a significant investment.
The UK has taken a groundbreaking step by signing the first legally binding international treaty on AI ethics.
On September 5, 2024, Lord Chancellor Shabana Mahmood signed the Council of Europe AI Convention, a landmark agreement aimed at implementing safeguards against AI risks to human rights, democracy, and the rule of law.
The ‘Council of Europe Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, Democracy, and the Rule of Law’ was adopted by all 46 member states of the Council of Europe, demonstrating a united effort to oversee AI development and protect the public from potential harm caused by AI misuse.
AI Convention’s Core Pillars
- Protecting human rights, privacy, and preventing discrimination
- Preserving democracy and safeguarding public institutions
- Upholding the rule of law and regulating AI-specific risks
Lord Mahmood emphasized the importance of shaping AI technologies to align with fundamental values, stating, “We must not let AI shape us – we must shape AI.”
Once ratified in the UK, this treaty will enhance existing and future laws and regulations concerning technology and AI usage.
International Treaties Shaping the Future of AI
Following the UK government’s commitment to regulating advanced AI models, industry experts, like Tim O’Reilly, acknowledge the significance of international treaties in guiding AI development towards productive ends.
“Treaties like the AI convention, set to be signed by the US, EU, and Britain today, are essential in setting limits on algorithms and AI models to ensure ethical and beneficial outcomes,” O’Reilly emphasized.