We must move faster to understand and regulate AI, says Rishi Sunak

Artificial intelligence models must be better understood and subject to testing before any mandatory legislation to oversee the industry can be introduced, UK prime minister Rishi Sunak told the AI Safety Summit at Bletchley Park – but he also said that such efforts must be accelerated. Sunak announced the establishment of a UK AI safety institute last week that will engage with technology companies on a voluntary basis to ensure that their models are safe to roll out to the public. But the body won't have official regulatory powers and companies won't be compelled to submit to whatever testing protocols they set up. In a press conference that marked the end of the summit, Sunak said that regulation will ultimately be needed, but should be based on evidence. Large technology companies working on AI have agreed to engage with the new organisation, he said.