A new initiative to shape international standards for Artificial Intelligence (AI) was launched last week by the UK government, as part of its strategy to become a global AI power. The "AI Standards Hub" will focus on governance and guidance and falls under the National AI Strategy that aims to increase Britain's contribution to development of global AI technical standards. The Alan Turing Institute, the London-based data science and AI organisation, has been selected to lead the pilot with support from the British Standards Institution and National Physical Laboratory. "The new AI Standard Hub will create practical tools for businesses, bring the UK's AI community together through a new online platform, and develop educational materials to help organisations develop and benefit from global standards," the government announced, adding that the move puts the country at the "forefront" of a rapidly developing industry. "On the face of it, the AI Standards Hub offers some substance to the government's claims of Britain being a tech power and paves the way for it to play a leadership role in shaping AI at the global level," London-based political risk analyst Mikhail Sebastian told TRT World.