G7 State Leader Calls For Technical Standard Development To Create Trusted AI

The G7 leader urged the development and adoption of technical standards to keep AI reliable. (photo: Twitter @vonderleyen)

JAKARTA - Leaders of Group of Seven (G7) member countries on Saturday 20 May urged the development and adoption of technical standards to maintain "trusted" artificial intelligence (AI), stating that this technology governance is not in line with its growth.

While G7 leaders who met in Hiroshima, Japan, acknowledged that approaches to achieving "trusted vision and purpose of artificial intelligence can vary", they said in a statement that rules for digital technologies such as AI should be "in accordance with our shared democratic values".

The agreement comes after the European Union, which participates in the G7, is closing in on legislative passage to regulate AI technology, which has the potential to become the world's first comprehensive AI law and could set a precedent among developed countries.

"We want the AI system to be accurate, reliable, safe, and non-discriminatory, regardless of origin," said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Friday, May 19.

G7 leaders said they "need to immediately review the opportunities and challenges of generative AI", a popular technology sub-field through the ChatGPT application.

OpenAI's chatGPT prompted Elon Musk and a group of AI experts to warn in March by requesting a six-month delay in developing a stronger system, with reference to potential risks for the public.

A month later, EU legislators urged world leaders to find ways to control AI technology, stating that its development was faster than expected.

To date, the United States has taken a cautious approach in regulating AI, with President Joe Biden last month saying it still needs to be seen if AI is dangerous.

Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI backed by Microsoft, told a Senate panel on Tuesday May 16 that the US should consider licensing and testing requirements for AI model development.

Japan, which hosted the G7 this year, is more accommodating in supporting public adoption and the AI industry while monitoring its risks. "It is important to handle potential and risks well," Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told the government's AI board last week.

The different approaches of western countries to AI are different from China's restrictive policies. In April, China's cyber regulator revealed draft steps to align AI services with the country's core socialist values.

Despite acknowledging the differences in AI regulations, G7 leaders agreed on Friday 19 May to create a ministerial forum called the "Indy AI Process" to discuss issues surrounding generative AI, such as copyright and disinformation, by the end of this year.

Leaders also urged international organizations such as the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to consider an analysis of the impact of policy development.

The summit attended a meeting of the G7 digital minister last month, where its members - the United States, Japan, Germany, Britain, France, Italy, Canada, and the European Union - stated that they should adopt "risk-based" AI rules.

The European Union and the United States are also expected to exchange views on new technologies at the Trade and Technology Summit in Sweden on May 30-31.

With this call from the G7 leader, it appears the need for technical standards and regulations to ensure reliable artificial intelligence (AI) and in accordance with shared democratic values. This agreement also reflects the difference in the approach of western countries in regulating AI compared to the restrictive policies adopted by China.