The UK government has entered a partnership with Anthropic, the US-based AI firm, to explore the potential of advanced AI tools in improving how UK citizens access government information and services online.

The deal follows the establishment of the UK’s Soveriegn AI unit, which was formed after the release of the AI Opportunities Action Plan by the Department of Science, Innovation, and Technology.

Anthropic is set to help the UK discover ways to implement AI across the public sector, as well as in scientific applications.

“AI has the potential to transform how governments serve their citizens. We look forward to exploring how Anthropic’s AI assistant Claude could help UK government agencies enhance public services, with the goal of discovering new ways to make vital information and services more efficient and accessible to UK residents,” said Anthropic co-founder and CEO Dario Amodei.

The voluntary memorandum of understanding will aim to advance best practices for the responsible deployment of frontier AI capabilities by the public sector, while fostering close cooperation between government and leading AI innovators.

Anthropic will be partnering with DSIT through the AI Security Institute, which was formerly known as the AI Safety Institute and renamed by technology secretary Peter Kyle.

“We will continue to work closely with the UK AI Security Institute to research and evaluate AI capabilities in order to ensure secure deployment,” Amodei said.

The rebranding from safety to security was announced on the same day as the Anthropic partnership, ushering in a new focus for the UK government when it comes to AI.

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The institute will not focus on bias or freedom of speech, the UK government said, but instead focus on advancing an understanding of the most serious risks posed by AI to build up a scientific basis of evidence that aims to help policymakers keep the country safe as AI develops.

“The changes I’m announcing today represent the logical next step in how we approach responsible AI development – helping us to unleash AI and grow the economy as part of our Plan for Change,” secretary Kyle said.

“The work of the AI Security Institute won’t change, but this renewed focus will ensure our citizens – and those of our allies – are protected from those who would look to use AI against our institutions, democratic values, and way of life.

“The main job of any government is ensuring its citizens are safe and protected, and I’m confident the expertise our Institute will be able to bring to bear will ensure the UK is in a stronger position than ever to tackle the threat of those who would look to use this technology against us.”