Australia has recently joined global efforts to ensure the safe and responsible development of artificial intelligence (AI). This move comes as the country, along with the European Union and 27 other nations including the US, UK, and China, signed the Bletchley Declaration. The declaration emphasizes the need for AI to be designed, developed, deployed, and used in a safe, human-centric, trustworthy, and responsible manner.
The declaration signals our commitment to work with the international community to ensure AI is developed with the right guardrails in place, stated Ed Husic, Australia’s Minister for Industry and Science. The signing of the declaration took place at the AI Safety Summit hosted by the United Kingdom Government.
At the summit, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and Ed Husic represented Australia and engaged in discussions with governments, leading AI companies, civil society groups, and academics. The focus of these discussions was to consider the risks associated with AI, particularly at the forefront of development, and explore ways to mitigate these risks through more coordinated international action.
One of the initiatives recognized by Australia and other governments and companies developing AI systems is the importance of collaborating on testing the next generation of AI models against various critical national security, safety, and societal risks. In support of this initiative, the UK is establishing an AI Safety Institute staffed by researchers, machine learning specialists, and engineers. Australia plans to work closely with this institute to share expertise, knowledge, and learnings.
Furthermore, participating countries agreed to produce an annual Frontier AI State of the Science report, which will summarize the latest international research on AI safety. This report aims to provide an accurate and credible snapshot of AI developments on an annual basis. Australia will have representation on the panel overseeing the report through the CSIRO Chief Scientist Bronwyn Fox.
While acknowledging the vast potential of AI to benefit society, Minister Husic also highlighted the concerns surrounding the technology’s impact. He emphasized the need for immediate action to ensure that safety and ethics are integral to AI development and not merely an afterthought.
The collaborative efforts among countries and companies showcased in the Bletchley Declaration and the establishment of the AI Safety Institute demonstrate a commitment to addressing the challenges and risks associated with AI. By working together and adhering to the principles outlined in the declaration, Australia and its global counterparts aim to foster the safe and responsible development of AI for the betterment of society.
For more information, please visit the official government website (https://www.industry.gov.au/BletchleyDeclaration).
