EU and US to Announce Joint Efforts on Artificial Intelligence Safety, Standards, and Research Development

The European Union and the United States are expected to announce a cooperation on Artificial Intelligence (AI) at a meeting of the EU-U.S. Trade and Technology Council (TTC) on Friday, according to a senior commission official who briefed journalists on background.

This development comes as both sides seek to strengthen their partnership on AI, an area that has been gaining increasing attention in recent years due to its potential impact on various aspects of society, including economy, security, and privacy.

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Background: EU’s Leadership on AI Legislation

The European Union has taken a leadership role in regulating AI, with the European Parliament having given its thumbs up for the EU AI Act in April 2023. The Act aims to create a comprehensive framework for the development and deployment of AI systems, ensuring that they are safe, transparent, and accountable.

In contrast, the United States has been slower to move on comprehensive legislation on AI safety. While there have been several executive orders and initiatives, including the creation of a U.S. AI Safety Institute by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), a comprehensive legislative framework is still lacking.

U.K.’s Efforts on AI Safety

The United Kingdom has also been actively engaged in promoting AI safety, with its government announcing plans to spend £100 million on an AI safety taskforce last summer. The U.K. has also committed to providing early or priority access to its AI models to support research into evaluation and safety.

TTC Meeting: A Platform for Cooperation

The TTC meeting provides a platform for the EU, U.S., and other participating countries to discuss their shared interests on AI, including promoting international cooperation, fostering innovation, and mitigating risks associated with AI development and deployment.

While details of the expected announcement are scarce, it is likely that the two sides will agree on key areas of cooperation, such as:

Joint Research Initiatives: The EU and U.S. may launch joint research initiatives to advance AI safety and security, leveraging each other’s strengths in this area.
Collaborative Standards Development: The two sides may collaborate on developing standards for AI development and deployment, ensuring that they align with their respective national regulations and international best practices.
Personnel Exchanges and Capacity Building: To enhance collaboration and knowledge sharing, the EU and U.S. may establish personnel exchanges between their respective AI safety institutes.

Cross-Border Cooperation: A Growing Trend

The development of cross-border cooperation on AI is becoming a growing trend globally. Other countries, such as Japan and South Korea, have also been actively engaged in promoting international cooperation on AI to address common challenges and opportunities arising from this rapidly evolving field.

In conclusion, the EU and U.S. announcement at the TTC meeting marks an important step towards strengthening their partnership on AI, reflecting a shared commitment to advancing AI safety, security, and accountability.

Timeline of Key Events:

April 2023: European Parliament gives thumbs up for the EU AI Act
Summer 2022: U.K. government announces plans to spend £100 million on an AI safety taskforce
November 2022: Raimondo announces creation of a U.S. AI Safety Institute

Key Players: