Australia and UK deepen ties to ward off AI risk

They will work together for the responsible development, deployment, governance and use of safe and trustworthy AI.

The Australian federal government and the UK government have signed a new memorandum of understanding (MoU) to further collaborate on the responsible development, deployment, governance and use of safe and trustworthy AI.

The MoU was signed during the visit to Australia by UK Minister for AI and online safety, Kanishka Narayan and Australia’s Assistant Minister for Science, Technology and the Digital Economy, Dr Andrew Charlton.

This collaboration will see a deeper cooperation between the federal government’s AI Safety Institute and the UK government’s AI Security Institute.

In this new deal the governments will be able to share information on emerging AI capabilities and risks, and best-practices for testing AI systems; conduct joint research; and support the International Network for Advanced AI Measurement, Evaluation and Science, of which Australia and the UK are both founding members.

In a statement, Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science Tim Ayres said, “This MoU brings Australia’s AI Safety Institute and the UK AI Security Institute together to share expertise, identify risks early and support safeguards that help prevent harm.

“Collaboration with our closest partners is how we make sure AI is safe and secure while we continue to explore the opportunities it presents.”

UK AI Minister, Kanishka Narayan stated, “Working hand in hand with trusted partners such as Australia, we can stay ahead of the risks, strengthen our defences and make sure AI is used to improve lives for Brits and Aussies alike.”

According to both governments, the agreement reflects Australia and the UK’s shared interest in improving how they measure understand and respond to risks from AI systems.

Ayres noted that both Australia and the UK are committed to harnessing the opportunities of AI, by understanding and mitigating its risks.

Improving safety was a priority for the Australian government, announced in its recent federal budget.