**Tech Giants Make “Voluntary Commitment” to Reduce Risks of AI: What You Need to Know**
Seven of the biggest tech giants – Google, Microsoft, Meta, OpenAI, Amazon, Anthropic, and Inflection – have made a “voluntary commitment” to the Biden administration to work towards reducing the risks associated with artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. These companies have agreed to prioritize safety, security, and trust in the development of their AI systems.
**Prioritizing Safety, Security, and Trust**
In terms of safety, the companies have committed to testing the safety and capabilities of their AI systems and subjecting them to external testing. They will also assess the potential biological, cybersecurity, and societal risks associated with their AI systems and make the results of these assessments public.
In terms of security, the companies have pledged to safeguard their AI products against cyber and insider threats. They will also share best practices and standards to prevent misuse, reduce risks to society, and protect national security.
One of the key agreements reached during the meeting was to make it easy for people to determine whether images are original, altered, or generated by AI. The companies will also ensure that AI technology does not promote discrimination or bias, protect children from harm, and utilize AI to address challenges such as climate change and cancer.
**The Rise of Generative AI Tools**
The release of OpenAI’s ChatGPT in late 2022 marked the beginning of a wave of major tech companies making generative AI tools accessible to the public. OpenAI’s GPT-4, launched in mid-March, is the latest version of the large language model powering the ChatGPT AI chatbot, which is advanced enough to pass the bar exam. However, these chatbots can sometimes provide incorrect answers or cite non-existent sources. As the adoption of these AI tools continues to grow, concerns about their potential problems, including the spread of misinformation and perpetuation of bias and inequality, have become more prominent.
**Tech Companies Respond**
Meta, formerly known as Facebook, has welcomed the White House agreement. The company recently launched the second generation of its AI language model, Llama 2, which is now free and open source. The president of global affairs at Meta, Nick Clegg, emphasized the importance of transparency and collaboration between tech companies, government, academia, and civil society in the development of AI systems.
Microsoft, another key player, expressed its support for the agreement and highlighted its commitment to AI safety and governance. The company is partnering with Meta on the Llama 2 model and has introduced AI-powered Bing search and various AI tools within its Microsoft 365 and Edge browser.
Amazon, known for its extensive utilization of AI in its services, also supports the voluntary commitments made by the tech giants. The company is dedicated to driving innovation while implementing necessary safeguards to protect consumers and customers.
OpenAI, a major player in the AI field, emphasized its ongoing collaboration with governments and civil society organizations to advance AI governance. Policy makers worldwide are considering new laws for highly capable AI systems, and OpenAI’s commitments contribute to this ongoing discussion.
Anthropic, another prominent AI company, has stressed that all AI companies should prioritize AI safety. The company plans to announce its own initiatives related to cybersecurity, responsible scaling, and red teaming in the coming weeks.
**What’s Next?**
The agreement between the tech giants and the White House is a significant milestone in ensuring that AI benefits everyone while minimizing associated risks. The commitments from these companies will support global efforts by organizations like the G7 and the OECD to maximize the benefits of AI and mitigate potential risks.
Google, for example, has already taken steps to address AI-generated content by launching its chatbot Bard and implementing AI models like Gemini to identify whether content has been generated by AI.
However, it is worth noting that some notable players, such as Elon Musk’s xAI and Apple, were absent from the discussion. Nonetheless, the voluntary agreement represents a step forward in enhancing AI safety and governance.
**Editor’s Notes: Encouraging Progress in AI Safety**
The voluntary commitment made by the seven tech giants to prioritize safety, security, and trust in AI development is a significant step towards addressing the potential risks associated with AI technologies. By subjecting AI systems to external testing and making the results public, these companies are promoting transparency and accountability.
The emphasis on preventing discrimination and bias, protecting children, and leveraging AI to solve global challenges demonstrates the potential positive impact of AI when used responsibly. It is crucial for tech companies, governments, academia, and civil society to collaborate closely to ensure the ethical development and deployment of AI technologies.
The efforts made by these companies align with the ongoing discussions around AI governance and regulation. They contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of AI risks and provide concrete practices for addressing them.
As AI continues to evolve and play an increasingly significant role in our lives, it is encouraging to see key industry players taking responsibility and actively working towards making AI safer and more beneficial for society.
[Check out GPT News Room for more insights on AI developments and industry news.](https://gptnewsroom.com)
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