The UK government has unveiled its agenda for the upcoming global AI Safety Summit, scheduled for 1-2 November 2023 at Bletchley Park, the historic base of WWII codebreakers like Alan Turing.

Aiming to address the multifaceted challenges and prospects of AI, Secretary of State Michelle Donelan has kickstarted the preparatory process. Prime Minister’s envoys for the summit, Jonathan Black and Matt Clifford, have begun dialogues with international counterparts and pioneering AI entities.

The summit’s mission is twofold: to pinpoint and counteract risks from advanced AI systems, such as threats to biosecurity, and to explore AI’s positive applications in areas like medical technology and transportation safety.

Five guiding objectives for the summit include:

1. Recognising AI risks and the urgency of action.
2. Crafting a blueprint for global cooperation on AI safety.
3. Outlining steps for organisations to bolster AI safety.
4. Pinpointing collaborative avenues in AI safety research.
5. Showcasing how safe AI can yield global advantages.

AI’s potential impact is immense, with forecasts suggesting a $7 trillion growth in the next decade. A Google report even predicts a £400 billion boost to the UK economy by 2030 due to AI, translating to a 2.6% annual growth rate.

Yet, the rapid evolution of AI also brings significant global risks. DeepMind’s co-founder, Mustafa Suleyman, and over 1,000 experts have previously voiced concerns about unregulated AI advancements.

The AI Safety Summit aims to build on existing efforts by groups like the UN, OECD, GPAI, and G7, focusing on practical measures to mitigate AI-associated risks. The event aspires to be a landmark in the global AI safety discourse, balancing AI’s potential benefits with its inherent challenges.