The European Union and the United States say they expect to draft a voluntary code of conduct on artificial intelligence (AI) "within weeks" in the hope that other democracies will sign on.
It comes as policymakers and technology experts have expressed concerns about AI — particularly content-creating generative AI like ChatGPT — with some equating it to the risk posed by pandemics and nuclear war.
After a Trade and Technology Council (TTC) meeting between Europe and the US on Wednesday, European Commission Vice President Margrethe Vestager said the voluntary code would provide safeguards while new laws were being developed.
"We need accountable artificial intelligence. Generative AI is a complete game changer," she said.
"Everyone knows this is the next powerful thing. So within the next weeks we will advance a draft of an AI code of conduct."
Ms Vestager said officials would seek feedback from industry players, invite parties to sign up, and promised a final proposal for industry would be put forward "very, very soon".
Europe's AI Act — with rules on facial recognition and biometric surveillance — is still going through the legislative process.
"In the best of cases, [the laws] will take effect in two-and-a-half to three years time. That is obviously way too late," Ms Vestager said.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he had an "intensive and productive" discussion on AI with his European counterparts at the TTC forum in Sweden.
"[The council has] an important role to play in helping establish voluntary codes of conduct that would be open to all like-minded countries," he said.
In a statement posted on Tuesday, hundreds of scientists and tech leaders have warned that mitigating AI risks should be a global priority because it could lead to human "extinction".
Sam Altman, CEO of ChatGPT-maker OpenAI, signed that statement and has suggested that AI should be regulated by the US or an international agency.
In Australia, Industry and Science Minister Ed Husic said the time had come to consider targeted regulation as well.
"There's a sort of feeling in the community that they want to have the assurance ... that the technology isn't getting ahead of itself and it's not being used in a way that creates disadvantage or risk for people," he said.
"That's why the [federal government] wants to set up the next reforms that can give people confidence that we are curbing the risks and maximising the benefits."
AP/Reuters/ABC
