The United Kingdom and the United States have formalized a collaboration to focus on the safety testing and evaluation of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. This agreement was signed by UK tech minister Michelle Donelan and US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo in Washington. It marks the first official partnership between these nations aimed at addressing the challenges posed by emerging AI models, emphasizing shared expertise and risk assessment.

This collaboration emerges from commitments made at the AI Safety Summit and involves the exchange of experts between the UK’s AI Safety Institute and its American equivalent. The initiative aims to facilitate joint research on private AI models created by top tech firms such as OpenAI and Google. The move reflects an urgent need for a coordinated approach to understand and mitigate potential risks that AI innovations may pose, including those to national security and societal welfare.

Under this partnership, the countries plan to align their scientific methods, share information and personnel, and conduct joint testing exercises on AI models. The agreement underscores a proactive effort to enhance the understanding and evaluation of AI systems, aiming for rigorous guidance on their safe utilization. The US and UK are set to lead the charge in promoting global AI safety standards, with similar partnerships with other countries also in consideration.

While the UK has currently opted not to enforce broad regulatory measures on AI due to its quick evolution, it is investing significantly in regulating AI and promoting safe practices. Existing regulatory bodies within various sectors will oversee AI’s application, focusing on advancing safety measures to leverage its benefits while minimizing risks. This collaborative effort represents a significant step toward ensuring the responsible development and use of AI technology, reflecting a key milestone in the ongoing special relationship between the UK and the US.