Sunak speaks out on AI risk and says UK will lead in protecting the world
The Prime Minister admitted a free trade deal with the United States is not on the table as he prepared for his first White House visit.
But Mr Sunak announced the UK will host an international AI summit this autumn before a one to one with the US President how they can work together to deal with the growing threats of technology.
Experts have warned advances in AI could “kill many humans” if it is left to develop unchecked.
Mr Sunak said Britain is the “natural place” to take the lead after being quizzed on why the US would listen to a “mid-sized nation” like Britain.
He told reporters: “That mid-size country happens to be a global leader in AI.
“You would be hard pressed to find many other countries other than the US in the western world with more expertise and talent in AI.”
Mr Sunak said it was vital to put “guardrails” in place to protect people from the technology.
“Historically the UK has got it right when we are trying to balance innovation with making sure the new technology is safe for society. We have a good track record getting that balance right,” he said.
“That’s why I started that conversation. We are the only country other than the US that has brought all these people together.
“I intend to talk about that with President Biden and lots of leaders around the world.
“This is a technology which will impact our lives and economy. It’s important to have the guardrails in place. That’s something I’m doing anyway for the UK but we will have that conversation more widely.”
Breakthroughs in AI are behind some of the most exciting developments in medical technology, including enabling paralysed people and the development of superbug-killing antibiotics.
But experts have issued increasingly alarming warnings about the potential for harm if protections are not put in place.
Matt Clifford, a government adviser on AI, said there should be global regulation to ensure control of the systems is not lost.
He said: “I think there are lots of different types of risks with AI and often in the industry we talk about near-term and long-term risks, and the near-term risks are actually pretty scary.
“You can use AI today to create new recipes for bio weapons or to launch large-scale cyber attacks. These are bad things.”
Technology Minister Paul Scully said this week: “If we get it wrong, there is a dystopian point of view that we can follow here. There’s also a utopian point of view. Both can be possible.”
Mr Sunak said he wants the UK to make sure the technology is developed and adopted safely and responsibly.
In today’s talks, he will stress the importance of like minded allies and companies working to develop an international framework to ensure the safe and reliable development and use of AI.
Mr Sunak said: “AI has an incredible potential to transform our lives for the better. But we need to make sure it is developed and used in a way that is safe and secure.
“Time and time again throughout history we have invented paradigm-shifting new technologies and we have harnessed them for the good of humanity. That is what we must do again.
“No one country can do this alone. This is going to take a global effort. But with our vast expertise and commitment to an open, democratic international system, the UK will stand together with our allies to lead the way.”
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Mr Sunak admitted that the prospect of a free trade agreement with the US will not be up for discussion in the White House meeting.
America is the UK’s largest trading partner and securing a deal was a key post-Brexit hope.
But the Prime Minister insisted it was “not a priority” at the moment.
He said: “I think that for a while now, that has not been a priority for either the US or UK.
“What we’re both focused on is making sure that our economic partnership reflects the particular challenges and opportunities of the time that we’re in right now. And that is the conversation that I will be having with President Biden.”
Mr Sunak said discussion would focus on the issue of economic security.
“When it does come to trade, what we have been doing with the US is looking at specific and targeted ways to improve trade between our countries,” he said.
“It’s also worth saying that we already have an unbelievably strong trading relationship with the US.
“We’re the largest investors in each other and we employ over a million people in each others’ countries.
“There’s lots of things for us to discuss, but I think it’s important that our economic relationship reflects the particular challenges and opportunities at the time we are in.”
Mr Sunak spent today meeting senior politicians from the Senate.
He also laid a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in recognition of the deep military ties between the UK and US.
Mr Sunak will give the president two gifts when they meet tomorrow.
He has specially commissioned a Barbour jacket personalised with “Mr President” embroidered on the pocket.
The Prime Minister will also give Mr Biden a copy of a book his great great grandfather Christopher Biden wrote called Naval Discipline.
The president previously referred to the book on a visit to Ireland, saying his ancestor had “written the rules of mutiny for the British navy”
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