The digital ministers of the Group of Seven (G-7) advanced nations have agreed to adopt “risk-based” regulation on artificial intelligence (AI). This comes as European lawmakers rush to introduce the AI Act to enforce rules on emerging tools such as ChatGPT. However, the ministers also emphasized the need to “preserve an open and enabling environment” for the development of AI technologies and be based on democratic values.
The Need for Trustworthy AI
The G-7 ministers recognized that “policy instruments to achieve the common vision and goal of trustworthy AI may vary across G-7 members.” Nonetheless, the agreement establishes an important milestone for how major countries govern AI amid privacy concerns and security risks. It is vital to ensure that AI is trustworthy, transparent, and safe for all to use.
Generative AI and Governance
Governments are especially concerned about the popularity of generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, a chatbot developed by Microsoft-backed OpenAI that has become the fastest-growing app in history since its November launch. The ministerial statement said that future G-7 discussions on generative AI could include topics such as governance, safeguarding intellectual property rights, promoting transparency, and addressing disinformation, including information manipulation by foreign forces.
Security Risks and Intellectual Property Concerns
G-7 countries also recognized the security risks posed by generative AI, stating that it “produces fake news and disruptive solutions to society if the data it’s based is fake.” Italy, a G-7 member, took ChatGPT offline last month to investigate its potential breach of personal data rules. While Italy lifted the ban on Friday, the move has inspired fellow European privacy regulators to launch probes. Additionally, the G-7 countries acknowledged intellectual property concerns and the need to address copyright and educational risks associated with generative AI.
In conclusion, the G-7 ministers have agreed on the need for “risk-based” regulation on AI that is trustworthy, transparent, and safe. They have recognized the potential security risks and intellectual property concerns associated with generative AI and have called for further discussions on governance. It is important to strike a balance between innovation and regulation to ensure that AI is developed within certain guardrails that democracies have to set.
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