Global collaboration on AI safety set to advance with inaugural meeting
The U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. State Department will co-host the first-ever convening of the International Network of AI Safety Institutes on November 20-21, 2024, in San Francisco. This high-profile event marks a significant milestone in global efforts to ensure the safe, secure, and responsible development of artificial intelligence.
Announced by Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo during the AI Seoul Summit in May 2024, the network will bring together AI experts and technical professionals from countries that have expressed a shared commitment to advancing AI safety. Members include Australia, Canada, the European Union, France, Japan, Kenya, South Korea, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Advancing Global AI Safety Collaboration
The goal of the two-day event is to align on priority work areas and accelerate international cooperation on AI safety measures. Technical experts from each member nation’s AI safety institute or equivalent government-backed office will work together on key projects. Additionally, the gathering will set the stage for more extensive collaboration leading into the AI Action Summit, slated for February 2025 in Paris.
Secretary Raimondo underscored the urgency of the initiative, stating: “AI is the defining technology of our generation. With AI evolving at a rapid pace, we at the Department of Commerce, and across the Biden-Harris Administration, are pulling every lever. That includes close, thoughtful coordination with our allies and like-minded partners.”
Raimondo emphasized that global AI rules must prioritize safety, security, and trust. “This convening is essential to laying out the rules of the road for AI development,” she added, “and I look forward to welcoming global experts to the heart of American digital innovation.”
International Ambition and Equitable AI Development
The members of the International Network of AI Safety Institutes share a collective ambition: to advance the science of AI safety while ensuring that AI’s benefits are distributed fairly across the globe. This sentiment was echoed by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who said, “Strengthening international collaboration on AI safety is critical to harnessing AI technology to solve the world’s greatest challenges. The AI Safety Network stands as a cornerstone of this effort.”
The upcoming convening will also invite stakeholders from civil society, academia, and industry to contribute to portions of the event. These experts will help shape the discussions by providing insights on the latest AI advancements and ensuring that the network’s work is informed by a wide range of perspectives.
Looking Ahead to the AI Action Summit in Paris
This inaugural meeting is only the beginning. By setting a strong foundation for cooperation at the San Francisco event, the network hopes to build momentum leading into the AI Action Summit in Paris next year. With AI technology developing at an unprecedented pace, the U.S. and its allies recognize the need for coordinated global action to address the complex risks and opportunities AI presents.
As international discussions on AI safety continue to gain traction, the stakes for ensuring trustworthy, transparent, and equitable AI use are higher than ever. With global attention now focused on the San Francisco convening, the world will be watching to see how these nations come together to shape the future of AI safety.
