It has today been announced by the government that Milton Keynes will host the world's first ever AI Safety Summit
On 7 June, the Government announced that the UK was to host the first global summit on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the autumn. The aim of the Summit is to bring together international government representatives, tech company CEOs and researchers to agree safety measures to evaluate and monitor the most significant risks from AI.
The Government is announcing today that historic Bletchley Park in Milton Keynes has been selected as the venue for a global AI Safety Summit and a date has been set for Wednesday 1 and Thursday 2 November 2023.
Milton Keynes City Council Leader Pete Marland has responded by saying “Milton Keynes is the home of innovation, from the ground-breaking development of modern computing at Bletchley Park to our role today at the forefront of global growth in technology and AI.
“It’s fitting that the world’s first major summit on harnessing the power of AI safely should take place in a smart city like Milton Keynes”.
The Member of Parliament for Milton Keynes South, Iain Stewart said: “I am absolutely delighted Bletchley Park has been announced as the location for the UK Government’s AI Safety Summit later this year.
“The home of the WW2 codebreakers and the location of early computer science development will welcome international governments, leading AI companies and experts in research will come together for talks about the AI technology frontier.”
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “The UK has long been home to the transformative technologies of the future, so there is no better place to host the first ever global AI safety summit than at Bletchley Park this November.
“To fully embrace the extraordinary opportunities of artificial intelligence, we must grip and tackle the risks to ensure it develops safely in the years ahead.
“With the combined strength of our international partners, thriving AI industry and expert academic community, we can secure the rapid international action we need for the safe and responsible development of AI around the world.”
Iain Standen, CEO of the Bletchley Park Trust, said: “Bletchley Park Trust is immensely privileged to have been chosen as the venue for the first major international summit on AI safety this November, and we look forward to welcoming the world to our historic site.
“It is fitting that the very spot where leading minds harnessed emerging technologies to influence the successful outcome of World War Two will, once again, be the crucible for international co-ordinated action.
“We are incredibly excited to be providing the stage for discussions on global safety standards, which will help everyone manage and monitor the risks of artificial intelligence.”
Thames Valley Police are currently working on the policing plan for the event, which will include any road closures.
The council says it will will be working closely with the police to support the summit and will provide guidance to local people and businesses about the impact of this significant event.
MK City Council says it expects to be able to make an announcement on Thursday 21 September to provide residents with more information and details.
