International Declaration Signed During AI Safety Summit

Cornelia Ehlebracht ’25

Staff Writer

On Nov. 1, 2023, the United Kingdom, United States, European Union, China and 24 other countries signed a declaration acknowledging the potentially catastrophic risks posed by artificial intelligence (AI). The AI Safety Summit held at Bletchley Park, the historic site in the United Kingdom where codebreakers operated during World War II, has garnered significant attention as global leaders, tech executives and academics gathered to discuss the risks associated with AI development. Hailed as a diplomatic breakthrough, the summit resulted in an international declaration which aims to address the potential dangers posed by AI technology. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak successfully convened global leaders, including U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, alongside representatives from 28 other governments who pledged to collaborate on AI safety research. The declaration ensures that the momentum initiated by the UK’s efforts will continue, with France scheduled to host the next summit on AI safety in 2024.

While the declaration marks significant diplomatic success and showcases global unity on the issue, it did not include provisions for establishing a testing hub in the UK, as some government officials had hoped. Instead, Vice President Harris announced the establishment of an American AI Safety Institute to develop standards and rules for safety, security and testing. The presence of prominent AI companies based in the United States, such as OpenAI, underscored the country’s commercial and political strength in the field. Demonstrating America’s influential role in shaping AI policy, President Joe Biden issued an executive order mandating tech firms to submit test results for powerful AI systems to the government before public release. Throughout the conference, European diplomats highlighted their early adoption of regulatory processes, while the UK emphasized the fast-paced nature of the industry and the need for flexibility in regulation. While there may be divergent views on the necessity and timing of regulations, the importance of international collaboration and shared problem-solving was recognized by members of the summit.

The signed declaration emphasized the grave dangers associated with advanced AI systems. Highlighting the potential for serious harm, whether intentional or unintentional, the document emphasized the urgent need for collective action to address the risks posed by cutting-edge AI technologies, which experts believe could surpass human intelligence in various tasks. Drawing public focus to the summit, Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, warned that AI poses one of the biggest threats to humanity.

Despite differing opinions within the tech community regarding the existential risk posed by AI, there is a consensus on the immediate threat of disinformation campaigns fueled by generative AI. Participants expressed concerns that upcoming elections in the United States, India and the United Kingdom could be manipulated through malicious use of AI technology. Addressing the short-term risks associated with AI is particularly important to international governments in safeguarding their democratic processes.

The AI Safety Summit revealed a shared international commitment to ensure the safe and responsible development of AI, with leaders emphasizing the importance of addressing risks early in the process. The event positioned the host nation, the United Kingdom, as a key leader in development of AI regulation and international cooperation in developing a comprehensive response framework. While global consensus on AI regulations and oversight remains elusive, the declaration represents a significant step towards fostering public trust and confidence in AI systems and protecting humanity from potential catastrophic outcomes.