EU Lawmakers Call for Summit to Control ‘Very Powerful’ AI

A smartphone with a displayed ChatGPT logo is placed on a computer motherboard in this illustration taken February 23, 2023. (Reuters)
A smartphone with a displayed ChatGPT logo is placed on a computer motherboard in this illustration taken February 23, 2023. (Reuters)
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EU Lawmakers Call for Summit to Control ‘Very Powerful’ AI

A smartphone with a displayed ChatGPT logo is placed on a computer motherboard in this illustration taken February 23, 2023. (Reuters)
A smartphone with a displayed ChatGPT logo is placed on a computer motherboard in this illustration taken February 23, 2023. (Reuters)

EU lawmakers urged world leaders on Monday to hold a summit to find ways to control the development of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) systems such as ChatGPT, saying they were developing faster than expected.

The 12 MEPs, all working on EU legislation on the technology, called on US President Joe Biden and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to convene the meeting, and said AI firms should be more responsible.

The statement came weeks after Twitter owner Elon Musk and more than 1,000 technology figures demanded a six-month pause in the development of systems more powerful than Microsoft-backed OpenAI's latest iteration of ChatGPT, which can mimic humans and create text and images based on prompts.

That open letter, published in March by the Future of Life Institute (FLI), had warned that AI could spread misinformation at an unprecedented rate, and that machines could "outnumber, outsmart, obsolete and replace" humans, if left unchecked.

The MEPS said they disagreed with some of the FLI message's "more alarmist statements".

"We are nevertheless in agreement with the letter's core message: with the rapid evolution of powerful AI, we see the need for significant political action," they added.

The letter urged democratic and "non-democratic" countries to reflect on potential systems of governance, and to exercise restraint in their pursuit of very powerful AI.

A spokesperson for von der Leyen did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Last week China's cyberspace regulator unveiled draft measures for managing generative AI services, saying it wants firms to submit security assessments to authorities before they launch their offerings to the public.

The Biden administration has also been seeking public comments on potential accountability measures for AI systems as questions loom about their impact on national security and education.

The European Commission proposed the draft rules for an AI Act nearly two years ago under which AI tools are expected to be classified according to their perceived level of risk, from low to unacceptable.

A parliamentary committee is debating the 108-page bill and hoping to reach a common position by April 26, according to two sources familiar with the matter.



Diriyah Company Partners with Kakao Mobility to Develop Cutting-Edge Mobility Solutions

Diriyah Company Partners with Kakao Mobility to Develop Cutting-Edge Mobility Solutions
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Diriyah Company Partners with Kakao Mobility to Develop Cutting-Edge Mobility Solutions

Diriyah Company Partners with Kakao Mobility to Develop Cutting-Edge Mobility Solutions

Saudi Arabia's Diriyah Company has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with South Korea’s Kakao Mobility. The MoU sets the stage for developing and deploying advanced mobility technologies within the first phase of Diriyah, a flagship sub-project under the broader Diriyah master plan.

A statement from Diriyah Company said the partnership aims to leverage innovative smart parking technologies and develop digital platforms that promote seamless, efficient mobility for Diriyah’s residents and visitors.

By integrating global best practices and innovations in smart mobility, the initiative supports Diriyah’s transformation into a premier global cultural and tourism destination, with a target of attracting more than 50 million visits annually by 2030.

Under the agreement, both parties will collaborate on an in-depth assessment to support the development of smart parking infrastructure and digital platforms at selected sites within the first phase of the Diriyah project. This includes integrating digital parking systems, enabling seamless data connectivity, optimizing user experiences, and designing efficient operational workflows.

Group CEO of Diriyah Company Jerry Inzerillo stated that the agreement marks a significant advancement in smart mobility, underlining the company’s commitment to delivering world-class projects that will serve millions of visitors, boost quality of life in Diriyah, and support the broader goals of Saudi Vision 2030.