During a recent summit held in Hiroshima, Japan, the leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) nations expressed their support for the development and implementation of international technical standards to ensure the trustworthiness of artificial intelligence (AI). Recognizing that different approaches may be required to achieve the common vision of trustworthy AI, the leaders emphasized the need for governance in the digital economy to be continuously updated in line with democratic values.
This call for international standards comes in the wake of the European Union’s (EU) progress toward enacting comprehensive legislation to regulate AI, potentially establishing the world’s first comprehensive AI law. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stressed the importance of accuracy, reliability, safety, and non-discrimination in AI systems, regardless of their origin. Of particular interest to the G7 leaders was generative AI, a subset popularized by applications like the ChatGPT app. They acknowledged the urgency of assessing the opportunities and challenges associated with generative AI. Consequently, the leaders agreed to establish a ministerial forum called the “Hiroshima AI process.” This forum aims to address specific issues related to generative AI tools, including intellectual property rights and disinformation, by the end of this year.
The G7 summit builds upon the discussions held during the previous digital ministers’ meeting where the United States, Japan, Germany, Britain, France, Italy, and Canada emphasized the importance of adopting “risk-based” AI regulations. The leaders aim to ensure that AI technologies are deployed responsibly and with a focus on mitigating potential risks. By advocating for international standards and establishing the Hiroshima AI process, the G7 leaders aim to promote the responsible and trustworthy development and deployment of AI technologies. Their focus on generative AI reflects the growing recognition of the opportunities and challenges presented by this specific subset of AI.