The United Kingdom government hosted the inaugural AI Safety Summit on November 1-2, 2023. With representatives from 28 countries (excluding Thailand), the government recognized the importance of developing AI technology responsibly and signed The Bletchley Declaration, a commitment to AI safety.
Choosing Bletchley Park as the venue for the summit was symbolic, as it is a historic site in the world of computer science. It was here that the British government’s code-breaking unit operated during World War II, playing a crucial role in the Allied victory. Bletchley Park is also where Alan Turing created the first computer.
The Bletchley Declaration addresses the risks associated with AI technology. Participating countries acknowledge the significance of international collaboration in researching AI safety. Among the signatories are major powers like the United States and China, as well as several European countries and the European Union (signing as an organization). Additionally, Asian countries such as Japan, Singapore, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, South Korea, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates have also joined the agreement.
The AI Safety Summit will continue with different countries taking turns hosting. South Korea will organize a virtual summit in the next six months, while France will host an in-person summit in the following year.
TLDR: The UK government hosted the first AI Safety Summit and signed The Bletchley Declaration with representatives from 28 countries and the EU. The summit discussed the risks of AI technology, emphasizing international research collaboration. Future summits will be held by South Korea (virtual) and France (in-person).
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