What to expect from the second Global AI Safety Summit?
What's the story
The second Global AI Safety Summit, a significant event in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), is set to commence soon.
Co-hosted by the UK and South Korea, this year's summit will primarily be an online event.
However, it faces hurdles as questions about AI's limitations begin to overshadow initial enthusiasm about its potential.
As Martha Bennett from Forrester points out, "there are some radically different approaches...it will be difficult to move beyond what was agreed at Bletchley Park."
Goals
What topics shall be discussed at the summit?
The upcoming summit aims to tackle complex issues related to AI. These include copyright infringement, data scarcity, and the environmental impact of AI technologies.
However, Bennett suggests that these topics may not attract as many high-profile attendees as before.
Despite efforts to replicate the success of the inaugural summit at Bletchley Park, several key participants have declined invitations to Seoul.
Development
AI focus has shifted from existential risk to resources needed
Since the first summit, the focus has shifted from existential risk to resources needed for AI development.
These include vast data for training large language models, and electricity for powering an increasing number of data centers.
Francine Bennett of the Ada Lovelace Institute notes that, "the policy discourse around AI has expanded to include other important concerns, such as market concentration and environmental impacts."
Predictions
The future of AI depends on an energy breakthrough
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman believes the future of AI depends on energy breakthrough.
He is reportedly looking to raise a staggering $7 trillion to increase computer chip production, a component currently in short supply.
However, Professor Jack Stilgoe from University College London warns that "the failure of the technology to live up to the hype is inevitable."
He suggests that while people will find innovative uses for this technology, the future may not unfold as Elon Musk or Altman predict.
Attendance concerns
Fewer leaders expected to attend this year
The South Korea summit was always planned as a smaller event before the next major gathering in Paris.
The US Department of State will send representatives to Seoul, but has not disclosed identities.
Linda Griffin from Mozilla admits that, "nothing will ever live up to a first gathering of its kind," adding that "getting international agreements is really hard, so it might take a few iterations of these events to find a rhythm."