In November 2023, former United Kingdom prime minister Rishi Sunak gathered the world’s leading minds at Bletchley Park, U.K., for the 2023 Global AI Safety Summit. The timing of this meeting proved crucial as countries compete for dominance in the worldwide advancement and deployment of AI-based systems. Over 150 attendees participated in the conference, representing nearly every corner of the globe, including renowned scholars, government officials, and executives from some of the world’s leading technological firms. The meeting emphasized a primary mission: to design a future where one can seize the benefits of AI by addressing the risks. As AI continues to develop rapidly, panellists acknowledge the importance of building a universal consensus regarding the power and threats of AI; disciplinary action must take place to suppress the potentially dangerous evolution posed by machine learning. AI’s potential is enormous, as are its risks. This summit helped determine the next steps toward safe development and use by investigating the threats posed by AI.
With AI systems increasingly integrated into complex, real-world applications, issues surrounding data privacy, algorithmic bias, and misinformation require contingency plans. The 2023 Global AI Safety Summit played a key role in addressing these pressing concerns, fostering dialogue between diverse stakeholders, and laying the groundwork for international regulatory frameworks. Recent AI advancements have notably accelerated the development of video-, audio-, and image-altering technology, enabling the creation of highly realistic audiovisual simulations, or “deepfakes.” While these technologies hold potential for positive uses, from digital assistance to fun interactive videos with your favourite celebrity, they are often exploited with harmful intentions, particularly to create fabricated and degrading images for extortion purposes.
Some of the most disturbing cases of misuse of these audiovisual simulation technologies involve the weaponization of AI by sexual predators to produce perverted images of children. The U.K.’s Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) has observed that AI-generated depictions of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) are becoming increasingly lifelike as deepfake usage grows. Scholars such as UC Berkeley professor Hany Farid commented on this alarming trend, noting that “the fakes are becoming more real and difficult to discern, [at] the speed at which the internet is [evolving].” He underscored that while content manipulation has long existed, “we have democratized access to technology that used to be in the hands of the few and now is in the hands of the many.” This highlights the ease with which sexual predators can generate such imagery. As deepfake technologies progress in quality and accessibility, they may pose significant social risks.
An illustrative case of AI exploitation involved 61-year-old Steven Larouche from Quebec, Canada, who was arrested in April 2023 after using AI-based deepfake software to produce at least seven sexually explicit videos involving children. Authorities also found nearly 545,000 digital files in his possession, containing images and videos of child pornography and sexual assault, many of which he had shared with others. This case demonstrates that as AI models become more advanced, so too do the risks of misuse. Recognizing this issue, summit panellists emphasized the importance of reaching a global consensus on AI’s powers and threats, highlighting the need for regulatory measures to mitigate the potentially dangerous progression of machine learning technologies.
At the AI Safety Summit, discussions underscored the need for strong safety protocols and resilience frameworks to keep AI systems secure and dependable. A primary focus was “red teaming”—a proactive testing strategy in which AI systems are subjected to controlled environments designed to reveal vulnerabilities. This approach allows developers to identify and address potential flaws before deployment, aiming to prevent situations where AI might be misused or function in unintended, harmful ways.
Building on the theme of risk mitigation, one of the 2023 AI Safety Summit’s primary goals was to create global governance and regulatory standards, as those confined to individual nations have thus far been insufficient. The summit emphasized the need for international cooperation in AI governance, and summit attendees agreed that to maximize the potential of this technology, a proactive strategy to address its consequences is necessary. At the meeting, leaders from various nations, industries, and AI developers collaborated and agreed on a safety testing plan to advance AI responsibly. By utilizing their different positions, they would independently conduct appropriate evaluations, rigorously testing the next release of their AI models to ensure their safe use.
Additionally, the AI Safety Summit also focused heavily on the ethical considerations surrounding AI development and algorithmic bias. Algorithmic bias creates and perpetuates real-world harm for society, particularly marginalized groups and participants highlighted the need for ethical development practices. Conversations around AI bias have frequently resulted in broad recommendations or outcomes. For example, utilizing AI to hire workers using algorithms that review resumes to identify “diverse” candidates may lack real-world context. AI designs and decision-making processes that support equity and fairness must be precise because many AI systems are trained primarily on datasets that may have been constructed by white people, thus contributing to a lack of comprehension concerning racial minorities. The discussions emphasized the significance of creating AI that works consistently and addresses more general ethical concerns, such as maintaining equity throughout the development process.
Furthermore, building public trust and ensuring transparency in AI development is a cornerstone of responsible AI deployment. Leaders stressed that transparency regarding how AI systems operate is critical, acknowledging their limitations and clarifying their potential effects on individuals and communities. Summit participants agreed on the necessity of providing clear, accessible information about AI’s risks and benefits, particularly in sensitive areas like healthcare and criminal justice, where AI can profoundly impact people’s lives. By promoting public disclosure and transparency, the summit aimed to foster public trust and ensure AI technologies are received with confidence and understanding across all sectors.
Since the AI Safety Summit in November 2023, notable strides have been made in AI governance and international collaboration. In September 2024, nations, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union—a supranational organization—signed the Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence, marking the first legally binding AI treaty. This agreement aims to eliminate any regulatory gaps brought on by the rapid growth of technology while also enhancing current international standards on democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. In addition, a report released by the United Nations that same month suggests that the UN should monitor and regulate AI more actively, drawing comparisons to the climate crisis. The report, created by the UN Secretary General’s High-Level Advisory Body on AI, suggests that an organization similar to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change should be created to collect current data on AI and its risks. Governments, tech executives, and legislators are held accountable by considering the summit’s objectives and evaluating these advancements to ensure that plans are followed through.
The AI Safety Summit 2023 has established a vital benchmark for international cooperation in AI governance. As AI technologies rapidly evolve, the summit’s outcomes highlight the continuous need for flexible regulatory frameworks that can keep up with AI advancements while firmly rooted in safety, transparency, and ethical responsibility principles. By fostering a unified vision and commitment among global leaders, the summit has set the stage for sustained collaboration and proactive regulation. The summit’s overarching message is unmistakable: collaborative action, ethical stewardship, and transparent governance are essential factors in unlocking the full benefits of AI while protecting against its inherent risks.
Edited by Jamie Silverman
This is an article written by a Staff Writer. Catalyst is a student-led platform that fosters engagement with global issues from a learning perspective. The opinions expressed above do not necessarily reflect the views of the publication.
In her fourth year at McGill University, Shannon is a staff writer for the Catalyst. Pursuing a double major in Sociology and Art History for her B.A., she is especially interested in social-political discrimination affecting Indigenous communities within Canada and across the globe.