UK and US partner on AI safety research

The agreement, signed by technology minister Michelle Donelan and US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, will see the countries partnering on research, safety evaluations and guidance for AI safety.

The UK Safety Institute, established in January, has set out plans with the US institute to create a common approach to AI safety testing and to share capabilities.

The institutes intend to perform “at least” one joint testing exercise on a publicly accessible model, according to a press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

As part of the partnership, the countries will also share information about the capabilities and risks of AI models and systems, and technical research on AI security, with the aim of allowing researchers to work around a shared “scientific foundation”.

Michelle Donelan, secretary of state for science, innovation and technology, said: “This agreement represents a landmark moment, as the UK and the United States deepen our enduring special relationship to address the defining technology challenge of our generation.   

“We have always been clear that ensuring the safe development of AI is a shared global issue. Only by working together can we address the technology’s risks head on and harness its enormous potential to help us all live easier and healthier lives.”

United States secretary of commerce, Gina Raimondo, said: “This partnership is going to accelerate both of our institutes’ work across the full spectrum of risks, whether to our national security or to our broader society.

“Because of our collaboration, our institutes will gain a better understanding of AI systems, conduct more robust evaluations, and issue more rigorous guidance.”