- £8.5 million government research funding announced by Tech Secretary for AI safety testing
- Funding to improve society’s resilience to AI risks and harness benefits like increased productivity
- Grants offered for systemic AI safety research, led by UK AI Safety Institute
- Programme to study societal impacts of AI and adapt infrastructure to AI transformations
- Collaboration with international AI Safety Institutes to tackle AI risks and ensure safe deployment
Breakthrough in AI Safety Testing: Tech Secretary Unveils £8.5 Million Research Funding
In a groundbreaking move set to revolutionize the field of artificial intelligence (AI) safety testing, the UK government has announced a substantial £8.5 million research funding initiative. This initiative aims to enhance society’s resilience to the potential risks associated with the development of new AI technologies, while also maximizing the benefits that AI can bring to various sectors. The announcement was made by Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan at the AI Seoul Summit, a collaborative event between the UK and the Republic of Korea.
Government Grants for Advancing Systemic AI Safety
The £8.5 million grants programme is specifically designed to support research into systemic AI safety. This initiative will focus on understanding and mitigating the risks posed by AI technologies such as deepfakes and cyberattacks, as well as exploring ways to leverage AI for increased productivity and social good. By offering grants to researchers, the UK government aims to foster innovation in AI safety testing and encourage the development of cutting-edge solutions.
It is noteworthy that the research programme will be overseen by the UK government’s pioneering AI Safety Institute, led by esteemed AI safety researcher Shahar Avin and Christopher Summerfield, the Research Director of the UK AI Safety Institute. The collaboration with UK Research and Innovation and The Alan Turing Institute will ensure the program’s success, with opportunities for international partnerships to further enrich the research outcomes.
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Expanding the Scope of AI Safety Testing
The new grants programme signifies a significant expansion of the AI Safety Institute’s mandate to include the emerging field of systemic AI safety. This approach seeks to address the broader societal impacts of AI and explore ways in which institutions, systems, and infrastructure can adapt to the transformations brought about by AI technologies. By encouraging proposals that focus on societal-level interventions rather than just AI model interventions, the programme aims to tackle pressing issues such as the spread of fake images and misinformation.
Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan emphasized the importance of this funding in advancing AI safety across society. The UK’s commitment to ensuring the safe and responsible deployment of AI is underscored by the Institute’s rigorous evaluation systems for AI models. With Phase 2 of the AI safety mission underway, the focus is on developing novel approaches that can facilitate the continued positive impact of AI on society.
Global Collaboration for AI Safety
The AI Seoul Summit serves as a platform for global collaboration on AI safety, building on the success of previous summits such as the AI Safety Summit hosted at Bletchley Park. The involvement of international partners, including the US and Canadian AI Safety Institutes, highlights the importance of concerted efforts in addressing AI risks and maximizing its benefits. The UK’s leadership in AI safety testing positions it as a key player in shaping the future of AI governance and responsible deployment.
The AISI Systemic Safety programme aims to attract a diverse range of researchers from both public and private sectors, fostering innovation and collaboration in AI safety research. By working closely with the UK government, researchers can ensure that their ideas have a tangible impact on society and contribute to the safe integration of AI technologies across various domains.
The unveiling of the £8.5 million research funding for AI safety testing marks a significant milestone in the UK’s commitment to fostering safe and trustworthy AI technologies. Through strategic partnerships, innovative research initiatives, and a global collaborative approach, the UK is poised to lead the way in shaping the future of AI governance and ensuring that AI continues to be a transformative force for good.
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