The United States will host its first-ever AI Safety Summit this November, marking a major step in global efforts to align on artificial intelligence (AI) policy. The summit will bring together top nations and experts to foster collaboration and ensure the safe development of AI technologies.
AI: The Defining Technology of Our Time
“AI is the defining technology of our generation,” U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said in a press release. With the rapid pace of AI development, nations are focused on shaping rules grounded in safety, security, and trust. The summit, hosted by Secretary Raimondo and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, will be held in San Francisco from November 20-21.
International Collaboration on AI Safety
The summit will convene the International Network of AI Safety Institutes, which was formed after a previous summit in South Korea. Nations like Australia, Canada, Japan, and the European Union will participate, addressing common concerns such as the use of AI in deepfake technology, election forgeries, and more.
Concerns Over Generative AI and Deepfakes
A major topic at the summit will be the misuse of generative AI, which has already shown its potential for creating misleading content. This includes AI-generated deepfake videos and images used in political elections, such as the controversial AI-generated images of Taylor Swift. The threat posed by such AI forgeries is of growing global concern.
The Role of AI in Solving Global Challenges
Secretary Blinken emphasized the importance of international collaboration, stating, “Strengthening international collaboration on AI safety is critical to harnessing AI technology to solve the world’s greatest challenges.” Experts from academia and the tech industry will also be invited to share insights on the rapidly evolving field.
The AI Safety Summit represents a significant step toward creating secure, trusted AI systems that benefit societies worldwide.