UK Pledges £1M for ‘AI for Development’ Strategy at UN General Assembly
In Brief
The UK announced at the UN General Assembly that it will invest £1 million into AI-driven conflict prediction.
The country will also launch the ‘AI for Development’ program to help developing countries build local AI skills.
Today at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the UK will present its vision on how artificial intelligence can enhance development in underdeveloped nations.
The UK has pledged £1 million to the Complex Risk Analytics Fund (CRAF), joining forces with the United Nations and becoming a partner alongside Germany, the United States, the Netherlands, the European Commission and Finland.
The fund will leverage AI to proactively forecast conflicts and humanitarian crises, offering a preemptive approach. Additionally, it stands prepared to respond promptly to emergencies as they occur.
Furthermore, the UK’s Foreign Secretary is urging international partners to unite and coordinate their efforts to help developing countries in Africa build local AI skills, thus accelerating progress towards the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
To realize this goal, the UK will launch the ‘AI for Development’ program, collaborating with Canada’s International Development Research Centre. The announcement coincides with the UK co-organizing an event focused on AI during the UN General Assembly’s sidelines. The UK Government says that the Foreign Secretary’s participation in the event is part of its broader efforts to influence the global dialogue on AI.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will chair the event. It will also gather governments, tech firms and NGOs to discuss how AI can accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.
According to UK Gov, these goals encompass a set of targets to transform the world into a healthier, more equitable, and more prosperous place by 2030.
“The opportunity of AI is immense. It has already been shown to speed up drug discovery, help develop new treatments for common diseases, and predict food insecurity — to name only a few uses,” Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said in a statement. “The UK, alongside our allies and partners, is making sure that the fulfilment of this enormous potential is shared globally.”
On Nov 1 and 2, the UK will host the first major global AI Safety Summit at Bletchley Park, Buckinghamshire. The summit aims to establish a worldwide agreement on the urgent international measures required to promote safety at the forefront of AI technology.
“As AI continues to rapidly evolve, we need a global approach that seizes the opportunities that AI can bring to solving humanity’s shared challenges. The UK-hosted AI summit this November will be key to helping us achieve this,” Foreign Secretary James Cleverly added.
The news follows a recent announcement regarding the appointment of AI industry experts to the external advisory board of the UK’s Frontier AI Taskforce. The Taskforce, announced by the Prime Minister in April, has received £100 million in funding to advance the safe and reliable development of frontier AI models.
In the months ahead, the Taskforce plans to expand its capabilities to identify new applications for AI in the public sector and bolstering the UK’s AI capabilities.
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About The Author
Cindy is a journalist at Metaverse Post, covering topics related to web3, NFT, metaverse and AI, with a focus on interviews with Web3 industry players. She has spoken to over 30 C-level execs and counting, bringing their valuable insights to readers. Originally from Singapore, Cindy is now based in Tbilisi, Georgia. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communications & Media Studies from the University of South Australia and has a decade of experience in journalism and writing. Get in touch with her via cindy@mpost.io with press pitches, announcements and interview opportunities.
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Cindy is a journalist at Metaverse Post, covering topics related to web3, NFT, metaverse and AI, with a focus on interviews with Web3 industry players. She has spoken to over 30 C-level execs and counting, bringing their valuable insights to readers. Originally from Singapore, Cindy is now based in Tbilisi, Georgia. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communications & Media Studies from the University of South Australia and has a decade of experience in journalism and writing. Get in touch with her via cindy@mpost.io with press pitches, announcements and interview opportunities.
