28 countries sign the world’s first AI declaration

Twenty-eight nations — including the United States, China, the European Union, the UK, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates — have reached a world-first agreement at Bletchley Park, establishing a shared understanding of the opportunities and risks posed by frontier AI and the need for governments to work together to meet the most significant challenges.

Signed on November 1st, the Bletchley Declaration on AI safety sees countries from across the globe agreeing to the urgent need to understand and collectively manage potential risks through a new joint global effort to ensure AI is developed and deployed in a safe, responsible way for the benefit of the global community.

Why does it matter?

The Declaration fulfills key summit objectives in establishing shared agreement and responsibility on the risks, opportunities and a forward process for international collaboration on frontier AI safety and research — particularly through greater scientific collaboration.

Countries agreed substantial risks may arise from potential intentional misuse or unintended issues of control of frontier AI, with particular concern caused by cybersecurity, biotechnology and disinformation risks. The Declaration sets out an agreement that there is "potential for serious, even catastrophic, harm, either deliberate or unintentional, stemming from the most significant capabilities of these AI models."

Countries also noted the risks beyond frontier AI, including bias and privacy.

Recognizing the need to deepen the understanding of risks and capabilities that are not fully understood, attendees have agreed to work together to support a network of scientific research on Frontier AI safety.

The countries represented were Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, European Union, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Netherlands, Nigeria, The Philippines, Republic of Korea, Rwanda, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Türkiye, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the United States of America.

What's next?

As part of agreeing to a forward process for international collaboration on frontier AI safety, The Republic of Korea has agreed to co-host a mini virtual summit on AI in the next 6 months. France will then host the next in-person Summit in a year from now. Further details on these events will be confirmed in due course.

This ensures an enduring legacy from the Summit and continued international action to tackle AI risks, including informing national and international risk-based policies across these countries.

On the record

"This is a landmark achievement that sees the world's greatest AI powers agree on the urgency behind understanding the risks of AI - helping ensure the long-term future of our children and grandchildren," said UK's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

"The French authorities welcome the international and cooperative work cycle launched by the AI Safety Summit to analyse, understand and respond to the risks that certain Frontier AI models could cause," said a spokesperson for the French Presidency. "France is ready to participate in this long-term collective effort and will be happy to host the next in person Summit."

"Minister Lee is delighted that Korea will be the co-hosts of the mini virtual summit," added a spokesperson for the Republic of Korea Government. "Korea is a world leader in technologies like AI and recognises the importance of multilateral cooperation to ensure AI technologies are designed, used and governed in safe ways."

The context

The Declaration builds on the UK Prime Minister's recent announcement for the UK to establish the world's first AI Safety Institute and complement existing international efforts including at the G7, OECD, Council of Europe, United Nations and the Global Partnership on AI. This will ensure the best available scientific research can be used to create an evidence base for managing the risks whilst unlocking the benefits of the technology, including through the UK's AI Safety Institute, which will look at the range of risks posed by AI.