AI safety organizations in the United States and the United Kingdom have forged a collaborative partnership to delve into AI safety research, assessments, and advisory services.
Britain’s Science, Innovation, and Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan ® welcomes U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo at the U.K. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Safety Summit at Bletchley Park in central England on November 1, 2023. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
On Monday, the U.S. and U.K. solidified an agreement to synchronize the efforts of their AI safety institutes in conducting research, evaluations, and guidance. This move aligns with the Biden administration’s dedication to collaborating with international partners in regulating AI technology.
In a memorandum of understanding signed by Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and U.K. Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan, both nations aim to harmonize their scientific methodologies to expedite the development of comprehensive evaluation frameworks for AI models, systems, and agents, as per a statement from the Department of Commerce. The agreement is now in effect.
Raimondo emphasized, “Our partnership underscores our proactive approach to addressing these concerns. Through our joint efforts, our Institutes will enhance their comprehension of AI systems, conduct more rigorous evaluations, and provide more stringent guidance.”
This announcement coincides with the Biden administration’s focus on collaborating with other nations on AI initiatives. For instance, the administration’s executive order on AI issued in October tasked the Department of Commerce with establishing global AI standards.
The AI safety institutes of both countries are set to establish a unified strategy for AI safety testing. They also plan to execute “at least one collaborative testing initiative on a publicly available model” and leverage a shared pool of expertise by exploring personnel exchanges between the Institutes, according to the release.
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology is home to the U.S. AI Safety Institute, which appointed its leadership and initiated a consortium involving more than 200 stakeholders in February.
The collaboration with the U.K. is likely just the beginning. Per the Commerce Department’s statement, the two nations “have also pledged to cultivate similar partnerships with other countries to advance AI safety globally.”
“We have consistently emphasized that ensuring the safe advancement of AI is a collective global responsibility,” stated the U.K.’s Donelan. “Only through collaborative efforts can we effectively tackle the risks associated with this technology and leverage its vast potential to enhance our quality of life.”
Written by Madison Alder
Madison Alder, a journalist based in Washington, D.C., specializes in government technology reporting for FedScoop. Her work focuses on monitoring the government’s utilization of artificial intelligence and tracking shifts in federal procurement practices. With a keen interest in health, law, and data-related issues, Madison previously worked as a reporter at Bloomberg Law, covering various topics such as the federal judiciary, healthcare policies, and employee benefits. Originally from Seattle, Madison is a graduate of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University.
