The UK government has announced that it will host a global summit to examine the risks of artificial intelligence (AI) in the autumn, as prime minister Rishi Sunak pushes for the country to become a global leader in AI regulation.

The summit, which will see ‘like-minded’ countries descend on London, will look at developing an international framework to ensure the safe and reliable development and use of AI. It is currently unclear which nations will take part in the summit. Sunak is set to meet with US president Joe Biden in Washington this week in an effort to rekindle the countries’ historic ‘special relationship’, with the UK prime minister hoping for US involvement at the summit.

The UK government claims it is well placed to hold the summit as the country is ranked third in the world for AI behind the US and China. It added that the AI sector contributes around £3.7 billion to the UK economy and employs 50,000 people in the country.

Commenting on the news Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “AI has an incredible potential to transform our lives for the better. But we need to make sure it is developed and used in a way that is safe and secure.”

“No one country can do this alone. This is going to take a global effort. But with our vast expertise and commitment to an open, democratic international system, the UK will stand together with our allies to lead the way.”

In a subsequent interview with the BBC, Sunak refuted claims that the UK is too small a player to have such a commanding role in the future of AI development, telling the outlet: “I believe the UK is well-placed to lead and shape the conversation on this because we are very strong when it comes to AI. It’s a topic that I, in particular, started talking about two years ago, to make sure that we are prepared.”

Several organisations have expressed concern over the use of AI or proposed regulation.

EU tech chief Margrethe Vestager recently called for the AI industry to adopt a voluntary code of conduct whilst regulation is being developed.

The European Commission proposed legislation for AI last year, but some do not think it is stringent enough. Around 42 German organisations representing more than 140,000 creative workers have stated they want tougher protection over copyright from ChatGPT and said that the technology needs to be “at the centre of meaningful AI market regulation.

Elsewhere, the Italian data protection regulator Garanta will investigate AI platforms after temporarily banning OpenAI’s ChatGPT over privacy concerns. In Japan, the watchdog recently issued a warning to OpenAI over privacy concerns.

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