The great powers signed up to Sunak's AI summit – while jostling for position

Sitting in a purpose-built hut in the grounds of the historic Bletchley Park country estate, British officials believed they had pulled off a diplomatic coup. On stage in front of them was the UK's technology secretary, Michelle Donelan, and behind her were high-level representatives from the US and China, together for the first time to discuss the international regulation of artificial intelligence. Even better, both countries were among 28 signatories to the "Bletchley declaration", an agreement to work together on safety standards that may prevent AI systems turning on humanity. Rishi Sunak said on Thursday: "Some said we shouldn't even invite China; others said that we could never get an agreement with them. A serious strategy for AI safety has to begin with engaging all the world's leading AI powers, and all of them have signed the Bletchley Park communique."