Seoul: South Korea is gearing up to host the second global AI Safety Summit on May 21-22, following the inaugural event held at Britain’s Bletchley Park six months ago. The summit aims to build upon the foundations laid by the “Bletchley Declaration”, fostering international cooperation on AI safety, as announced by government officials in a statement released on Friday.
Context: Addressing AI Concerns
The emergence of ChatGPT, backed by Microsoft and OpenAI, in late 2022 sparked a spectrum of reactions ranging from awe to apprehension. Notably, prominent figures like Geoffrey Hinton and Elon Musk voiced concerns over the potential risks posed by AI, prompting calls for regulatory measures. Responding to these concerns, Britain hosted the first AI Safety Summit in November last year, convening global leaders, tech luminaries, and academics to deliberate on regulatory frameworks for AI.
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Continuing Momentum: Ensuring Oversight
Following the success of the inaugural summit, where over 25 government representatives signed a joint declaration emphasizing collaboration and oversight, it was agreed to convene these summits biannually. South Korea’s upcoming virtual summit in May will continue this momentum, with France slated to host the subsequent in-person summit later in 2024.
Key Quotes: Commitment to AI Governance
Lee Jong-Ho from South Korea’s Ministry of Science and Information and Communication Technology underscored the significance of the AI Safety Summit, highlighting the collaborative efforts of government, industry, and academia. He emphasized the imperative of establishing global norms and governance to harness AI innovations for the betterment of humanity.
