US and UK Forge Historic Partnership for AI Safety and Testing Standards

The United States and the United Kingdom have embarked on a groundbreaking partnership aimed at enhancing the safety evaluation of artificial intelligence (AI) systems. This innovative bilateral agreement features the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding by U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and U.K. Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan, aimed at fostering collaboration on AI model risks and security measures.

This agreement comes on the heels of new directives from the U.S. government mandating federal agencies to utilize AI responsibly. Under this mutual commitment, dedicated AI Safety Institutes from both nations will pool their expertise to develop comprehensive safety testing protocols.

“Our collaboration will accelerate the work of both Institutes across the entire spectrum of risks—be it to national security or society at large,” remarked Raimondo. “We are not shying away from these crucial concerns; instead, we are addressing them head-on. This partnership will enhance our understanding of AI systems, strengthen our evaluations, and generate more rigorous guidance.”

Both the U.S. and U.K. established their respective AI safety institutes in response to the findings of last year’s AI Safety Summit, each tasked with formulating guidelines and benchmarks for assessing AI risks.

Researchers from the U.S. AI Safety Institute will collaborate with their U.K. counterparts to develop a unified approach for AI safety testing. It has also been announced that joint testing exercises will be conducted on publicly accessible AI models, although a timeline for these initiatives has yet to be established.

Describing the agreement as a pivotal moment, U.K. Tech Secretary Michelle Donelan emphasized its significance in strengthening the alliance between the two countries to tackle what she calls “the defining technology challenge of our generation.”

“We firmly believe that ensuring the safe development of AI is a global responsibility,” Donelan stated. “Through collaboration, we can confront the associated risks and effectively harness AI's immense potential to improve our quality of life.”

This partnership not only aims to enhance safety protocols but also offers invaluable support to startups in the AI sector. Ekaterina Almasque, a general partner at the venture capital firm OpenOcean, highlighted the challenges faced by emerging AI companies in navigating the intricate landscape of safety and ethics.

“Startups often struggle to find affordable, ethical training data, which can stifle their ability to innovate and scale,” Almasque noted. “This collaboration presents a framework for overcoming these obstacles, providing essential guidance and support to help startups responsibly and securely develop AI technologies.”

The significance of this agreement marks a crucial step towards ensuring the responsible use of AI, promoting safety, and fostering innovation in this rapidly evolving field. By setting a precedent for international cooperation, the U.S. and U.K. are positioning themselves as leaders in the safe advancement of AI technology.