The government has announced it is partnering with other countries and organisations to fund safe and responsible AI projects around the world.

The UK AI for Development Programme, announced at the much-anticipated AI Safety Summit on Wednesday, will contribute £38m to the collaboration and invest in projects which are using AI technology to solve global challenges.

The Summit, which is taking place at Bletchley Park on 1 and 2 November, will see companies and experts discuss the risks and opportunities posed by rapid advances in frontier AI technology.

Along with partners including Canada and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the UK also announced that it is helping to fund an £80 million AI project in Africa to boost growth and support long-term development in the continent.

The government said it had a number of goals for the project, including bringing down the barriers to entry for African AI innovators in the private sector, creating or scaling up a minimum of eight responsible AI research labs at African universities and helping at least 10 countries create regulatory frameworks for the safe and responsible use of AI.

To achieve these goals, the government said it would take several measures including funding post-graduate AI training and fellowships in African universities and investing in innovators building models with data that accurately represents the African continent, using home-grown skills and computing power.

“The transformative power of AI should have a global benefit,” said James Cleverly, the UK foreign secretary. “AI can change lives for the better around the world, including helping to develop new treatments for diseases and to tackle food insecurity.”

He added: “The AI for Development programme, alongside the AI Safety Summit hosted in Britain this week, are a testament to how we and our partners will use cutting-edge technology to create a more equitable and prosperous future.”

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