18 Nations Sign Agreement to Safeguard Against Unlawful Use of Artificial Intelligence

The United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and 15 other European countries have joined an agreement aimed at protecting consumers from the unlawful use of artificial intelligence. The document outlines recommendations for developers of artificial intelligence systems to ensure their resilience against potential cyberattacks and misuse, as reported by Reuters. Among the other signatories are Germany, Italy, Czech Republic, Estonia, Poland, Australia, Chile, Israel, Nigeria, Singapore, and others.

The agreement places particular emphasis on recommending that companies creating and implementing artificial intelligence systems make their structures "secure." This is intended to prevent their exploitation by cybercriminals and safeguard users' confidential data from falling into unknown hands. It underscores the importance of considering potential risks at all stages of the artificial intelligence system's lifecycle, including development, implementation, operation, and maintenance.

Jen Easterly, the Director of the United States Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, highlighted the significance of many countries endorsing the idea that AI systems should prioritize security. She remarked, "This is the first time we are seeing confirmation that these capabilities should not be limited to cool features and how quickly we can bring them to market or compete for cost reduction. This agreement reflects an understanding that the most important thing to do in the design stage of AI systems is to ensure security."

The document also emphasizes that artificial intelligence systems are vulnerable to new threats that need to be addressed alongside conventional cybersecurity threats. Despite the rapid pace of technological development, the agreement puts forth a requirement for security to remain a key aspect throughout the entire lifecycle of the system.

While the instructions outlined in the agreement are not mandatory, the participation of 18 countries makes it a significant step toward protecting the use of artificial intelligence. The document underscores that security should be a priority during the development of AI technologies. 

It is worth noting that several countries, including Germany, France, the United States, Ukraine, and others, previously signed the "Blechley Declaration," which calls for the safe development and implementation of artificial intelligence.