RISHI Sunak has blocked the Scottish Government from being represented at a major artificial intelligence (AI) summit.
The “world first” AI safety summit started on Wednesday as the UK looks to take a lead role in the discussions around the risks and opportunities with the rapidly advancing technology.
According to a published list, government representatives from China will be at the two-day event at Bletchley Park in Buckinghamshire, as well as figures from the US, France, Germany, Japan, India, the Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine and others.
Tech giants Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, Samsung and Sony are also confirmed, alongside AI firms Anthropic, Google DeepMind, OpenAI and Elon Musk’s xAI start-up.
But no one from the Scottish Government will be in attendance, according to the Minister for Trade and Innovation Richard Lochhead (below).
The minister said he was “disappointed”, adding that they had requested a place with other devolved administrations. He also highlighted the “impact of AI regulation on devolved areas”.
Lochhead said: “We are working to make Scotland a world leader in the development and use of AI in a way which is trustworthy, ethical and inclusive.
“ Our universities’ AI research and teaching is already world-class and we are determined to remain at the forefront of AI policy and technology development.
“While this summit appears to have a narrow focus on the long-term threat so-called 'frontier AI' could pose to global security and doomsday scenarios, we should not lose sight of the more immediate risks such as misinformation and cyber security, nor the potential transformational benefits ethical AI can deliver to global society and the Scottish economy.
“I am disappointed the Scottish Government is not represented at the summit, despite requesting a place along with other devolved administrations, but I welcome assurances I was given at my meeting with the Secretary of State Michelle Donelan to discuss this issue where she committed to closely engage with the Scottish Government going forward. I hope this happens.
“Given the impact of AI regulation on devolved areas, and the likelihood implementation of regulation will be in the hands of Scottish agencies, Scotland’s interests and priorities need to be taken into account.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel