Google's Hassabis calls for new US-led global AI watchdog "before year end" (www.axios.com)

Demis Hassabis, co-founder and CEO of Google DeepMind, has called for the establishment of a U.S.-led global AI watchdog tasked with monitoring advanced AI models and coordinating safety measures if potential risks arise. In his manifesto titled "A Framework for Frontier AI and the Dawning of a New Age," he emphasizes the need for a systematic regulatory body, funded by the AI industry and staffed with top technical experts, to address escalating AI-related threats, including those posed by open-source models beyond government control. This initiative is seen as urgent, with Hassabis pushing for the oversight body to be operational before the end of the year. The proposed regulatory framework resembles that of FINRA, where frontier labs would voluntarily share their models for safety testing before release. This comprehensive approach aims to safeguard against dangerous capabilities emerging from powerful AI systems, while ensuring international consistency in regulations across all frontier models, regardless of origin. Hassabis, aligning with other industry leaders, views this initiative as critical for navigating the evolving landscape of AI and mitigating risks associated with advanced technologies. As AI progresses toward the potential development of artificial general intelligence (AGI), he stresses that the actions taken now could significantly shape the future of civilization.