The U.S. is set to host an artificial intelligence (AI) safety summit in November, with the goal of aligning top nations on their tech goals and fostering collaboration within the international community. U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo emphasized the importance of ensuring that the rules surrounding AI are rooted in safety, security, and trust. The summit will take place after the presidential election, and will be led by Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Raimondo in San Francisco between November 20-21. The International Network of AI Safety Institutes, which aims to promote collaboration on AI safety, includes countries such as Australia, Canada, the European Union, Japan, and the United Kingdom.
A key concern among nations in the AI safety summit is the use of generative AI to create forgeries, including election-related materials such as ads and pictures. Instances of deepfake videos have also complicated elections, with politicians facing challenges from manipulated content. The network established by the summit is seen as a way to address these concerns and ensure greater safety and security in the use of AI technologies. The summit will also provide a platform for experts from academia and the tech industry to share their views and developments to help officials stay abreast of the swiftly evolving AI sector.
Amidst the backdrop of the summit, a poll revealed that a majority of Americans do not trust AI-generated election information, highlighting the importance of establishing trustworthiness in AI technologies. The use of AI in disinformation campaigns was exemplified in recent indictments revealing Russia’s use of AI to target the 2024 election. The role of AI in influencing public opinion and elections has raised concerns about the need to regulate and monitor the use of these technologies to ensure the integrity of democratic processes.
The U.S. AI Safety Summit aims to address these challenges by fostering international collaboration on AI safety to tackle global challenges using AI technology. Secretary Blinken emphasized the importance of leveraging AI to address the world’s greatest challenges, and sees the AI Safety Network as a crucial step in this direction. Experts from various fields will be invited to participate in the summit to provide diverse perspectives and insights that can help officials navigate the complexities of the AI sector. The summit underscores the U.S. government’s commitment to ensuring that the development and deployment of AI technologies are done in a responsible and ethical manner.
The U.S. summit will build on previous safety summits hosted by the U.K. and South Korea, with plans for future summits in France. The collaboration among nations in the International Network of AI Safety Institutes reflects a shared commitment to promoting safe, secure, and trustworthy AI technologies. By convening experts and stakeholders from various fields, the summit aims to drive discussions and developments that can shape the future of AI regulation and governance. The U.S. government’s leadership in AI safety highlights the recognition of AI as a defining technology of the current generation, and the importance of setting clear guidelines and standards to ensure its responsible use for the benefit of society.
