Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey is expected to call for a global pause on the development of superintelligent artificial intelligence as his party’s conference in Brighton comes to a close today.
In his leader’s speech, Sir Ed will argue that international action is needed to prevent increasingly powerful AI systems being developed without sufficient safeguards. He is expected to compare the potential risks posed by superintelligent AI with those associated with nuclear weapons.
His proposals include a global treaty to pause the development of superintelligent AI and the creation of an International AI Safety Agency, headquartered in the UK and modelled on the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Sir Ed is expected to argue that the future development of the technology should not be left in the hands of a small number of major technology companies.
He will tell delegates: “We would never accept that with any other existential threat. And we must not accept it when it comes to AI. We didn’t leave the atom bomb to a few billionaires to police themselves.”
The Liberal Democrat leader is also expected to say that artificial intelligence has the potential to bring significant benefits, including helping to treat disease, improving working practices and supporting scientific discoveries.
However, he will argue that poorly controlled development could concentrate significant power in the hands of relatively few companies and individuals.
His speech comes as Prime Minister Andy Burnham prepares to announce a new AI defence partnership between the UK and United States. The partnership is expected to focus partly on using artificial intelligence to protect critical infrastructure and identify security threats.
Sir Ed will criticise the Government’s approach, claiming its plans do not go far enough to address the potential risks from advanced AI.
He is expected to say: “We need a global treaty to press pause on super-intelligent AI now, before it’s too late. We need a new International AI Safety Agency – like we have for nuclear – to stop anyone from developing this technology recklessly.”
The Liberal Democrat leader will also use his closing address in Brighton to set out his wider vision for what he describes as a “liberal Britain”.
He is expected to argue that political parties need to engage with people who hold different views rather than “retreating into their own bubble”.
Sir Ed will tell delegates that political disagreements should be tackled through stronger relationships within communities, saying Liberalism should be about “empowering the powerless, and holding the already powerful to account”.
The speech brings the Liberal Democrats’ autumn conference in Brighton to a close.
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