Following the sixth EU-US Trade and Technology Council (TTC) meeting in Leuven, Belgium, the EU AI Office and the US AI Safety Institute have announced a collaborative effort to develop tools for evaluating artificial intelligence (AI) models. The talks involved prominent representatives from both the European Commission and the US government, including Executive Vice-Presidents Margrethe Vestager and Valdis Dombrovskis, Commissioner Thierry Breton, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, and Trade Representative Katherine Tai.
Initiating Collaborative Efforts on AI Evaluation Tools
This newly announced partnership between the EU and the US on AI evaluation tools builds upon recent commitments made by the UK and the US. Vestager emphasised that the EU-US collaboration is broader in scope than the UK-US deal. It not only encompasses AI testing but also includes the establishment of benchmarks, methodologies, and mutual understanding of regulatory approaches across both jurisdictions. In contrast, the UK's recent AI Safety Summit primarily focused on national security threats posed by AI, such as the potential misuse for creating biological weapons. The EU and US previously agreed upon a risk-based approach to AI regulation, insisting on the evaluation of specific AI use cases while promoting the development and deployment of responsible AI systems. This approach is mirrored in the EU's AI Act. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to this risk-based approach in their joint statement following the TTC meeting. Additionally, the EU and the US have collaborated on updating definitions for key AI terms through stakeholder consultations. This effort aims to contribute to regulatory convergence and the establishment of international standards for AI.
AI's Potential in Addressing Global Challenges and Semiconductor Innovations
Beyond regulatory efforts, the EU and US are also exploring the potential of AI to address global challenges. Over the past six months, joint teams from both sides of the Atlantic have dedicated over 100 hours to scientific meetings discussing the application of AI in areas like energy optimisation, emergency response systems, and climate forecasting. In the semiconductor sector, the EU and US plan to enhance research collaboration to find alternatives to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as forever chemicals, used in chip manufacturing. They intend to leverage AI and digital twin technologies to expedite the discovery of alternative materials. Moreover, both entities are addressing potential supply chain disruptions and unfair practices from third countries, particularly focusing on 'legacy chips' that are widely used in various products, from automobiles to medical devices. The collaboration extends to research and innovation in 6G technologies as well. The EU and the US have adopted a common vision focusing on technological challenges and collaborative opportunities in areas such as microelectronics, AI, cloud solutions, and security for 6G networks. This collaborative effort builds upon previously adopted 6G outlooks and industry roadmaps.
Despite some scepticism about the effectiveness of the TTC amidst the presence of multiple international forums on AI and technology, both the EU and the US underscored the importance of their partnership. They highlighted the significant progress made in aligning their positions on economic security and global challenges, representing nearly half of the world's GDP. Given the current complex geopolitical environment, there is a mutual recognition of the necessity for continued collaboration between the EU and the US as trusted partners in the technological and economic domains.
Source & Image Credit: European Commission
