Deputy Prime Minster warns AI advances outstrip regulation

Oliver Dowden, who will attend in place of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, will call for a new form of multilateralism to act against the threat of AI advances, outstripping global regulation and address the need for a new approach to manage the fast-developing technology.

During his speech, he will warn that if no action is taken, AI risks destabilising the world order as world leaders and top diplomats gather to discuss the development of this piece of tech, bringing together 193 UN member states as Dowden highlights AI will be “a tool for both” good and ill use.

As the leaders gather, they must come together to agree on the necessary guardrails, regulations and governance and how this can be developed in a parallel process with the technological progress that is happening, and Mr Downen will suggest that the international community must wrest some control over AI from tech firms.

Oseloka Obiora, CTO, RiverSafe, said: “Business leaders are jumping into bed with the latest AI trends at an alarming rate, with little or no concern for the consequences. With global regulatory standards falling way behind and the most basic cyber security checks being neglected, it is right for the government to call for new global standards to prevent the AI ticking timebomb from exploding.”

Tom Dunning, CEO, Ad Signal, said: “The race to embrace AI brings with huge opportunities but also many regulatory challenges. It’s not just managing risk and the safety of the technology, but also keeping track of the impact it is already having on sustainability and emissions. It’s vital that the government and the wider international community works together to keep AI development in check and ensure that the consequences of its use are held to account to global standards.”

Oliver Dowden, UK Deputy Prime Minister, said: “The starting gun has been fired on a globally competitive race in which individual companies as well as countries will strive to push the boundaries as far and fast as possible.”

“In the past, leaders have responded to scientific and technological developments with retrospective regulation.

“But in this instance the necessary guardrails, regulation and governance must be developed in a parallel process with the technological progress. Yet, at the moment, global regulation is falling behind current advances.”

This comes following a series of meetings with tech giants during the American visit.