Europe, UK (Commonwealth Union) – The UK and France have unveiled new initiatives aimed at enhancing research collaboration and bolstering global AI safety efforts. This announcement includes increased funding for research cooperation and the establishment of a new partnership dedicated to advancing AI safety on a global scale.
On February 29th, the French Minister for Higher Education and Research, Sylvie Retailleau, met with UK Secretary of State Michelle Donelan in London. This face-to-face meeting marks an important step following the UK’s association with Horizon Europe.
During the meeting, Retailleau and Donelan have intended to build upon the strong existing connections between British and French scientists, researchers, and businesses. These collaborations have historically yielded groundbreaking innovations such as the Concorde, which revolutionized commercial supersonic flight, and the Channel Tunnel, a remarkable engineering achievement. As part of their discussions, the ministers will endorse a joint declaration aimed at further strengthening research ties between the UK and France.
They are set to unveil a groundbreaking collaboration between the UK AI Safety Institute and France’s Inria (The National Institute for Research in Digital Science and Technology), aimed at jointly advancing the safe and ethical formation of AI technology.
In addition, the inaugural meeting of the French-British joint committee on Science, Technology, and Innovation, taking place today, presents a unique opportunity to unite key influencers from both countries’ research sectors. Their collective efforts will focus on exploring collaborative avenues in research and development spanning various domains, including low-carbon hydrogen, space observation, AI, and research security. Scheduled to convene biennially, the committee aims to bolster scientific cooperation between the UK and France, particularly in priority areas like emerging technologies that include AI and quantum computing.
UK Secretary of State Michelle Donelan says “The links between the UK and France’s brightest minds are deep and longstanding, from breakthroughs in aerospace to tackling climate change. It is only right that we support our innovators, to unleash the power of their ideas to create jobs and grow businesses in concert with our closest neighbour on the continent.”
