Italy Champions Global Collaboration on AI at Belgrade Summit
Underscoring Need for Rules and Values in Emerging Technology
Italy’s Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Maria Tripodi, represented the country at the annual Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) Summit held in Belgrade. She highlighted Italy’s significant role in the GPAI, emphasizing its contribution to the launch of the integrated partnership with the OECD.
Leading the Way on AI Development
“An activism that also saw us as protagonists during the presidency of the G7, during which Italy produced, among others, some reports on the impact of AI in the world of work, the handbook for Public Administrations that intend to use AI, the mapping of approaches to digital identity, the monitoring mechanism of the Hiroshima Code of Conduct,” Tripodi stated. She further emphasized the importance of establishing an international order based on a system of rules and values, echoing President Meloni’s sentiments expressed during the G7 summit in Borgo Egnazia.
Belgrade Declaration: A Blueprint for Global AI Management
Tripodi congratulated the Serbian government on the success of the GPAI summit and expressed her deep satisfaction with the adoption of the Belgrade Declaration. This declaration outlines an ambitious roadmap for collaboration, study , and debate aimed at managing the global landscape of AI development and deployment.
Strengthening Bilateral Ties: Italy and Serbia
During the summit, Tripodi engaged in discussions with Jelena Begovic, the Serbian Minister of Science, Technological Development, and Innovation. This exchange followed a joint declaration signed last November 28th in Trieste by Italy’s Minister of University and Research, Annamaria Bernini, and Minister Begovic during the Italy-Serbia Scientific Forum. The aim of these collaborative efforts is to strengthen the already strong relationship between the two countries.
What are some of the potential risks associated with AI development that Italy is seeking to mitigate through global collaboration?
## Italy Pushes for Global AI Rules: A Conversation with Alex Reed, AI Ethics Expert
**Interviewer:**
Welcome back to the show. We’re here today to discuss Italy’s prominent role at the recent Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence Summit in Belgrade. Joining us is Alex Reed, an expert in AI ethics. Welcome to the show.
**Alex Reed Name:**
Thanks for having me.
**Interviewer:**
Italy’s Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Maria Tripodi, represented the country at the summit, emphasizing the need for global collaboration on AI development. Can you elaborate on why this is such a key focus for Italy, and what were some of the main objectives set out at the summit?
**Alex Reed Name:**
Absolutely. Italy, like many nations, recognizes the immense potential of AI but also its potential risks. They are actively advocating for a proactive, collaborative approach to ensure responsible development and deployment of AI technologies.
At the GPAI summit, the key objectives revolved around establishing ethical guidelines, fostering international research collaboration, and promoting transparency and accountability in AI systems. Italy’s call for global rules underscores the understanding that AI’s impact will be felt globally and requires a united front to ensure its benefits are maximized while mitigating potential harms.
**Interviewer:**
This international cooperation seems particularly relevant given that top world leaders, including Pope Francis, are now calling for discussions on regulating AI.
[[1](https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/pope-will-attend-g7-summit-discuss-ai-italy-says-2024-04-26/)]
How do you see these conversations evolving, especially with religious leaders entering the fray?
**Alex Reed Name:**
This is indeed a significant development. Having Pope Francis engage in discussions on AI signals a growing recognition of its profound impact on society, even on moral and ethical grounds. His involvement could lend greater weight to the discussion and encourage more nuanced considerations of the values we want to embed in AI systems.
Ultimately, achieving a consensus on AI governance will require a multi-stakeholder approach, bringing together technologists, policymakers, ethicists, and indeed, religious leaders to arrive at a framework that is both innovative and responsible.
**Interviewer:**
Very insightful. Thank you so much for sharing your expertise on this important topic, Alex Reed.
