Deputy PM Dowden Excludes Chinese Delegates from Key Sessions at AI Summit, Despite Elon Musk's Presence: A Step Towards Balancing Collaboration and Risks

Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden has stated that it is not appropriate for Chinese delegates to attend certain sessions at the AI summit, despite the presence of China and Elon Musk, the world's richest man, at the UK-hosted event this week. Dowden emphasized the importance of working with China to address the shared risks associated with artificial intelligence (AI), but acknowledged that there are instances where like-minded countries should collaborate without Chinese participation. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak invited world leaders to the two-day summit at Bletchley Park, but only a few have accepted the invitation.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and US Vice President Kamala Harris are among the notable attendees. China is represented by Wu Zhaohui, vice minister of the Ministry of Science and Technology, as reported by China Central Television. Dowden stressed the significance of China's presence as a major AI power, acknowledging the involvement of Elon Musk, owner of the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). However, Dowden clarified that he does not endorse "many of Elon Musk's views." He highlighted that the conference is unique in bringing together both businesses and government, as AI is being driven by frontier tech companies, while governments have a duty to protect their citizens from potential risks.

Meanwhile, at the global AI Safety summit in Bletchley Park, the US, China, and 26 other nations agreed to work collaboratively to safeguard against AI's potential catastrophic harm. Government ministers and industry executives gathered to address AI risks and promote international collaboration on frontier AI safety and research. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak emphasized the shared responsibility of nations in tackling these risks and fostering cooperation in the AI field. The AI summit and AI Safety summit reflect the increasing recognition of the importance and potential risks posed by AI technology. By bringing together global leaders, industry professionals, and government representatives, these summits aim to foster dialogue, collaboration, and strategies to ensure the responsible and safe development of AI for the benefit of all.