Lib Dem leader to seek global treaty limiting super-intelligent AI

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey is expected to call for a global non-proliferation treaty to stop the development of super-intelligent artificial intelligence, The Guardian reports. Davey is due to make the proposal in his keynote speech on the final day of the Liberal Democrat conference in Brighton. The proposed agreement would be modelled on a nuclear-style non-proliferation treaty, according to the report.

He is also expected to call for a global pause on the development of super-intelligent AI. Davey will compare the technology’s potential dangers with a nuclear arms race and warn that it could produce systems capable of causing catastrophic harm. The Liberal Democrat leader plans to accuse Andy Burnham of relying on Donald Trump and technology executives to address the problem.

The available material does not explain the specific remarks or policies by Burnham that prompted the criticism. Davey’s proposal would seek international limits on the development of the technology rather than relying solely on individual companies or national governments, as described in the supplied report. The source does not provide details of the proposed treaty’s enforcement arrangements, participating countries or definition of super-intelligent AI.

It also does not report reactions from Burnham, Trump, technology companies or other governments. Davey’s speech was yet to be delivered in the available material, so the account describes his planned position rather than a completed policy announcement.