G7 Agrees On Code Of Ethics For Artificial Intelligence Development

European Commission Digital Chief, Vera Jourova, (photo: twitter @VeraJourova)

JAKARTA - The group of seven industrialized countries known as the G7 agreed to create a code of ethics for companies developing advanced artificial intelligence (AI) systems on Monday 30 October. This was revealed according to a G7 document seen by Reuters. The agreement was made because the governments of the G7 countries were looking for ways to reduce the risks and potential misuse of AI technology.

This voluntary code of conduct would be an important milestone in AI governance in major countries, amid concerns about privacy and security risks, the document shows.

Leaders of the Group of Seven Economies (G7) consisting of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, along with the European Union, began this process in May in a ministerial forum dubbed the "Hiroshima AI Process."

According to the G7 document, the 11-point code of conduct aims to promote safe, secure and trustworthy AI worldwide and will provide voluntary guidance for action by organizations developing the most advanced AI systems. These include the most advanced base models and the most advanced generative AI systems.

This code is intended to help take advantage of and address the risks and challenges brought by these technologies.

The Code encourages companies to take appropriate steps to identify, evaluate, and address risks throughout the AI lifecycle, as well as address incidents and patterns of abuse after AI products are placed on the market.

Companies should compile public reports on the capabilities, limitations, uses, and abuses of AI systems, and also invest in strong security controls.

The European Union has been a pioneer in regulating this emerging technology with tough AI Laws. Meanwhile Japan, the United States and countries in Southeast Asia have taken a more relaxed approach than the European Union bloc to boosting economic growth.

The European Commission's digital chief, Vera Jourova, speaking at an internet governance forum in Kyoto, Japan, last month, said the Code of Conduct is a strong basis for ensuring security and will serve as a bridge until regulations are implemented.