Britain can become the global hub for 'safe' AI, says Rishi Sunak
today vowed to make Britain the global hub for 'safe' as he hailed the 'extraordinary possibilities' of the tech to transform public services and the economy, with AI as a 'co-pilot' in every job. In a speech at Tech Week, the PM said there was the potential for progress that could eclipse even the industrial revolution. He pointed to AI helping paralysed people walk, and discover new antibiotics to kill superbugs. But he called for urgent guardrails to be put in place as he outlined his vision for the UK to become the home of AI regulation. He said this could lead to 'very significant risks that some would call existential, others would say [they are] alongside things like pandemics or nuclear war'. The intervention comes after the premier used a trip to the US last week to announce that the UK will host the first international summit on AI safety. Mr Sunak said: 'Already we've seen AI help the paralysed to walk and discover superbug-killing antibiotics and that's just the beginning. 'The possibilities are extraordinary. But we must and we will do it safely. 'I want to make the UK not just the intellectual home, but the geographical home of global AI safety regulation.' Mr Sunak said the 'tectonic plates of technology are shifting'. 'We must act, and act quickly, if we want not only to retain our position as one of the world's tech capitals but to go even further and make this the best country in the world to start, grow and invest in tech businesses. 'That is my goal and I feel a sense of urgency and responsibility to make sure that we seize it.' He said AI presented 'an opportunity for human progress that could surpass the Industrial Revolution in both speed and breadth'. The UK Government has already given 100 million to a Foundation Model Taskforce that has been created to lead on AI safety in the UK. US President Joe Biden told Mr Sunak while he was in Washington DC that he was looking to the British leader to 'lead the effort' on heading up internationally co-ordinated action to mitigate the risks of the emerging technology. Mr Sunak, speaking to broadcasters in the States, said he thought Britain was 'well placed' to take a leading role in developing a 'global architecture for regulation'. The campaign has come after experts, including bosses at companies such as Google DeepMind and Anthropic, warned publicly that, in the wrong hands, AI could be used to harm people and spell the end of humanity. After his speech, the PM took part in a 'fireside chat' with Demis Hassabis, chief executive of London-based Google DeepMind. Joanna Shields, chief executive of Benevolent AI, said there was 'limited opportunity to take action' on regulating AI and that she was 'delighted' the UK was taking the matter seriously with its autumn safety conference. 'These crucial initiatives serve as a solid foundation, and now it is essential for both the public and private sectors to collaborate closely to tackle this monumental challenge and position the UK at the forefront of AI regulation,' she said. Darktrace chief executive Poppy Gustafsson said: 'The UK is in a great position to be at the forefront of the AI revolution. 'I'm excited to see this country leaning in on this agenda and actively looking to capitalise on the tremendous opportunities that this creates.'