Adopted on June 14, 2024, at the G7 Summit in Apulia, Italy, the Group of Seven (G7) Leaders' Communique, expresses the wealthiest nations' common pledges and actions to address multiple global issues. A portion of the Group of Seven (G7) declaration closing the Italian summit focuses on AI and other digital matters.

G7 leaders called for an action plan to manage AI's risks and benefits, including developing and implementing an International Code of Conduct for organisations developing advanced AI systems, as unveiled last October under the Japanese G7 presidency. To maximise the advantages of AI while mitigating its threats, G7 nations commit to deepening their cooperation.

An action plan for the use of AI in the workplace was announced, together with the creation of a brand to promote the implementation and use of the International Code of Conduct for advanced AI systems, in cooperation with OECD. G7 leaders stressed the importance of global partnership to bridge the digital divide and ensure that people around the world have access to the benefits of AI and other technologies. The goal is to advance science, improve public health, accelerate the clean energy transition, promote sustainable development goals, etc.

Why does it matter?

The G7 is encouraging global collaboration within the group of countries, with the OECD, with other initiatives such as the Global Partnership on AI (GPAI), and towards the developing world, to facilitate the equitable distribution of the benefits of AI and other emerging technologies while minimising any threats. G7 leaders aim to mend technological gaps and address AI's impact on workers. G7 labor ministers are tasked with designing measure to capitalize on AI's potential, promote quality employment, and empower people, while also tackling potential barriers and risks to workers and labour markets.

G7 leaders agreed to intensify efforts to promote AI safety and enhance interoperability between diverse approaches to AI governance and risk management. That means strengthening collaboration between AI Safety Institutes in the US, UK, and equivalent bodies in other G7 nations and beyond, to improve global standards for AI development and implementation. The G7 also formed a 'Semiconductors Point of Contact Group' to strengthen cooperative efforts on addressing challenges affecting this critical industry that drives the AI ecosystem.

G7 nation's commitments are consistent with the recent Seoul AI safety summit efforts and align with the intended goals of the upcoming United Nations Summit of the Future. Echoing the UN General Assembly landmark resolution on 'seizing the opportunities of safe, secure, and trustworthy AI systems for sustainable development' and Pope Francis's historic address to the G7 leaders, the communique reflects the group's unified stance on AI safety and the need for a framework for AI's responsible development and use in the military.