Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) countries called for the development and implementation of technical standards to keep artificial intelligence (AI) “trustworthy” adding that the technology’s governance did not keep up with its progress.
The G7 leaders agreed that different approaches may be taken to reaching “the common vision and goal of trustworthy AI,” but they also stated in a statement that the standards for digital technologies like AI should be “in line with our shared democratic values.” The G7 leaders were gathering in Hiroshima, Japan.
The accord came after the European Union, a G7 member, moved closer this month to establishing legislation to control AI technology, possibly the first comprehensive AI law in the world that may form a global standard.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said, “We want AI systems to be accurate, reliable, safe, and non-discriminatory, regardless of their origin.”
The ChatGPT app popularised generative AI, a subset of the technology, and the G7 leaders stated they “need to immediately take stock of the opportunities and challenges of generative AI.”
Japan, the G7 chair this year, had been even more accommodating, promising to foster the use of AI in both public and industrial settings while keeping an eye on its potential perils. The government’s AI council heard last week from Prime Minister Fumio Kishida that it was crucial to appropriately address both the potential and threats.
China’s limited stance contrasts with the many approaches taken by Western countries to AI. Draught regulations to harmonize generative AI-powered services with the nation’s basic socialist ideals were presented by its internet authority in April.
The G7 leaders decided on Friday to establish a ministerial forum known as the “Hiroshima AI process” to talk about concerns surrounding generative AI, such as copyrights and disinformation, by the end of this year, despite noting differences in how AI should be governed.
The leaders also asked international bodies, including the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, to consider impact analyses of policy changes.
