U.S. joins G7 artificial intelligence group to counter China

The United States (US) has joined an international panel of Group of Seven (G7) for setting up ethical guidelines for the use of artificial intelligence (AI). The partnership was launched after a virtual meet of technology ministers of member nations.

• The aim of this panel is to counter China’s twisting technology in ways that threaten civil liberties.
• The involvement of US in this panel was important because of the large role that American tech firms play globally and its historic advocacy for human rights.

Background:

Two years ago, the leaders of Canada and France announced the formation of a group to guide the responsible adoption of AI based on shared principles of human rights, inclusion, diversity, innovation and economic growth. At that time, US objected this stating that a regulation would hamper US innovation. But negotiations in 2019 and changes to the group’s scope led the US to join.

About G7:

The Group of Seven (G7) is an international intergovernmental economic organization consisting of the seven largest economies in the world: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. European Union is an invitee to G7. The heads are:

• Canada- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
• France- President Emmanuel Macron
• Germany-Chancellor Angela Merkel (Senior G7 Leader)
• Italy-Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte
• Japan-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe
• United Kingdom- Prime Minister Boris Johnson
• United States (2020 host)- President Donald Trump