Britain invites China to its global AI summit. Foreign Minister James Cleverly said that if one of the industry’s major actors were missing, the hazards of the technology could not be controlled. As a result, Britain has invited China to its global artificial intelligence (AI) meeting in November.
Cleverly stated on Tuesday that “we cannot protect the UK public from the risks of AI if we exclude one of the leading nations in AI tech.”
The conference, which will take place on November 1-2, will bring together governments, tech companies, and academics to discuss the dangers posed by the potent new technology. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak wants Britain to become a global leader in AI legislation.
According to Britain, the seminar would include subjects like how AI could jeopardize biosecurity and how the technology could benefit the general population, such as through better transportation.
Cleverly has argued for deeper engagement with Beijing, saying it would be a mistake to try to isolate the second-largest economy in the world and that Chinese assistance was needed in areas like climate change and economic instability. Last month, Cleverly became the most senior minister to visit China in five years.
“The UK’s approach to China is to protect our institutions and infrastructure, align with partners, and engage where it is in the UK’s national interest,” Cleverly stated Tuesday.
London is working to strengthen relations with Beijing. Still, since it became public that a parliamentary researcher had been detained in March on suspicion of spying for China, there has been increased concern about Chinese activities in Britain.
According to the Chinese embassy in London, China may or may not attend the AI summit.
Jonathan Black, a former senior diplomat, and tech expert Matt Clifford have been chosen by Britain to oversee summit preparations.
According to The Financial Times, government officials prefer a less “draconian” approach to regulating the technology than the EU’s comprehensive AI Act.
Future EU regulations will require businesses using “high risk” AI systems to conduct thorough risk assessments, keep detailed activity logs, and provide sensitive internal data to authorities upon request.
Last month, Clifford told Reuters that he hoped the UK meeting would serve as a springboard for further discussions on AI legislation on a global scale.
