New tools to make the UK an AI safety hub

The UK Government has announced targeted support to help businesses develop artificial intelligence safely in a bid to unlock economic growth.

As part of the tools launched is a new platform to help drive demand for the AI safety sector, which is poised to unlock an estimated £6.5bn over the next decade.

The platform will act as a “one-stop-shop” for information on how to identify and mitigate potential AI risks, bringing together guidance and new practical resources to show businesses how they can carry out impact assessments and evaluations as well review data used in AI systems to check for bias.

It will also see the government partnering with industry to develop a new roadmap which it is hoped will help navigate international standards on AI assurance.

Announcing the new tools, technology secretary Peter Kyle said: “AI has incredible potential to improve our public services, boost productivity and rebuild our economy but, in order to take full advantage, we need to build trust in these systems which are increasingly part of our day to day lives.”

The initiative also includes a self-assessment tool to help implement responsible AI management practices across businesses, particularly SMEs. The tool will be reviewed via a public consultation which is now open.

Kyle added: “The steps I’m announcing today will help to deliver exactly that – giving businesses the support and clarity they need to use AI safely and responsibly while also making the UK a true hub of AI assurance expertise.”

Meanwhile, the AI Safety Institute has announced a new AI safety partnership with Singapore. Signed by Kyle and Singapore’s minister for digital development, the Memorandum of Cooperation will see the two sides work together to drive forward research and establish a shared set of policies, standards, and guidance

The agreement marks “the first step in a long-term ambition” for the countries to work together to advance the science of AI safety, and promotes international standard on AI safety, chair of the AI Safety Institute Ian Hogarth said.

The announcement comes at the back of the government report, Assuring a Responsible Future for AI, which found the AI sector contributes an estimate of around £1bn and employs more than 12,500 people.

It also comes a year one from the AI Safety Summit, which was hosted at Bletchley Park. The two-day event saw 28 countries sign the first-ever international declaration to deal with AI.