The world must work together to ensure AI technology is developed safely and successfully, stated South Korea’s Minister of Science and ICT, Lee Jong-Ho. This call for global cooperation came as the AI Summit in Seoul, co-hosted with Britain, concluded on Wednesday.

Key Points from the AI Summit

Main Discussions

• Job Security: Addressing the potential impact of AI on employment.
• Copyright Issues: Discussing the ownership of AI-generated content.
• Inequality: Ensuring AI benefits are distributed fairly.

Voluntary Agreement

On May 21, 16 tech companies signed a voluntary agreement to develop AI safely. This shows a collective effort towards responsible AI usage.

New Pledge

On May 22, a pledge was signed by 14 companies, including tech giants like Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI, along with six Korean companies. This pledge includes:

• Watermarking: Methods to identify AI-generated content.
• Job Creation: Efforts to ensure AI leads to job opportunities.
• Support for Vulnerable Groups: Helping socially vulnerable groups benefit from AI.

Minister’s Statement

“Cooperation is not an option, it is a necessity,” said Minister Lee Jong-Ho. He emphasized that the Seoul summit has enhanced discussions about AI safety, innovation, and inclusivity. He also expects future summits to further collaboration on AI safety institutes.

Future of AI Summits

The first global AI summit was held in Britain last November, and the next in-person gathering is expected to be in France in 2025.

Global Cooperation on AI Safety

Ministers and officials from various countries talked about the importance of cooperation between state-backed AI safety institutes to help regulate the technology.

Expert Opinions

• Francine Bennett, Director at the Ada Lovelace Institute: “We need to move past voluntary measures. The people affected should be setting the rules via governments.”
• Max Tegmark, President of Future of Life Institute: “AI services should meet obligatory safety standards before hitting the market to ensure safety and avoid public backlash.”

Call for Flexible Laws

Minister Lee pointed out that laws often lag behind technological advancements like AI. He stressed the need for flexible laws and regulations to ensure safe public use of AI.

Conclusion

The AI Summit in Seoul highlighted the importance of global cooperation to tackle the challenges and opportunities presented by AI. With further collaboration and flexible regulations, the goal is to ensure AI technology is safe, inclusive, and beneficial for all.