The word “safety” appears exactly zero times in the Group of Seven’s (G7’s) recent Statement on AI for Prosperity, which focuses heavily on the benefits and opportunities of artificial intelligence. Issued at the recent G7 Summit in Alberta, Canada, the statement begins with recognition of AI’s potential to “grow prosperity, benefit societies and address global challenges.” It then describes commitments whereby member countries promise to “promote economic prosperity,” meet AI’s energy needs, and increase access to and adoption of the technology. In an annex, an AI adoption road map outlines plans to help small and medium-sized businesses “move from uncertainty to opportunity.” The statement mostly neglects the possibility that AI could malfunction or be used harmfully. The G7’s emphasis on AI opportunity contrasts with its more cautious tone in years past. Shortly after ChatGPT was released, G7 leaders established the Hiroshima AI Process to study generative AI, recognizing both the “opportunities and challenges” posed by the technology. Later that year, the process produced a code of conduct that outlined voluntary guidance for organizations developing advanced AI systems, such as testing for biological threats, investing in cybersecurity, and respecting intellectual property rights. The G7 continued acknowledging AI’s risks in 2024, even inviting Pope Francis to speak at the leaders’ summit in Apulia, where he called for a ban on lethal autonomous weapons.
Liberal Democracies Are Retreating From AI Safety (Jakub Kraus – Lawfare)
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