Matt Clifford and Jonathan Black join the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) to spearhead the UK’s inaugural AI safety summit. The duo will play a role in uniting prominent AI nations, companies, and experts ahead of the summit scheduled for autumn this year. 

Clifford brings experience garnered from co-founding the investment firm Entrepreneur First in 2011, which raised £130 million last year. He is also a chair for the Advanced Research and Invention Agency. 

Black was previously a Deputy National Security Adviser and UK G7 & G20 Sherpa, and fellow at the Blavatnik School of Government. He has a long career built on dedication to national security and international cooperation. 

The upcoming summit will consider the risks of AI, and discuss how they can be addressed and mitigated through international cooperation. “No one country can do this alone. This is going to take a global effort. But with our vast expertise and commitment to an open, democratic international system, the UK will stand together with our allies to lead the way,” said Prime Minister Rishi Sunak about the summit in June. 

“Artificial intelligence will fundamentally alter every aspect of human life. As AI rapidly evolves, we need a global approach that seizes the opportunities that AI poses while grasping the challenges and minimising the risks,” said foreign secretary, James Cleverly.

Matt Clifford and Jonathan Black are the most recent example of the government turning to the private sector for AI expertise. Earlier this year Ian Hogarth, technology investor, entrepreneur, and AI specialist was appointed as the chair of the government’s Foundation Model Taskforce.

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“The UK has a proud history of demonstrating diplomatic leadership on the most important issues of the day and Matt and Jonathan’s experience and expertise means that they are perfectly placed to lay the groundwork ahead of talks this year on safe and responsible AI,” said technology secretary, Michelle Donelan.

“We’re already a leading nation when it comes to artificial intelligence – and this summit will help cement our position as the home of safe innovation.”