The UK has released new guidelines for secure AI system development in an effort to enhance cybersecurity measures for AI. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) collaborated with industry experts and 21 other international agencies and ministries, including the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), to create the Guidelines for Secure AI System Development. These guidelines have been endorsed and “co-sealed” by 18 countries, including all of the G7, making them the first globally agreed-upon standards. The aim of these guidelines is to assist developers in making informed decisions about cybersecurity throughout the development process of AI systems. The guidelines cover systems built from scratch as well as those built on existing tools and services. The official launch of the guidelines will take place at an event hosted by the NCSC, where industry, government, and international partners will gather for a panel discussion on securing AI. Microsoft, the Alan Turing Institute, and cybersecurity agencies from the UK, US, Canada, and Germany are among the participants. NCSC CEO Lindy Cameron described the guidelines as a significant step towards establishing a global understanding of cyber risks and mitigation strategies for AI. She emphasized the need for international collaboration to keep up with the rapid pace of AI development. The guidelines address the importance of integrating security into AI systems from the start, rather than retrofitting it later. The UK Government’s AI Safety Summit played a crucial role in fostering international cooperation on AI risks and laid the foundation for these guidelines. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak previously hosted the world’s first “AI Summit” in Bletchley Park, Buckinghamshire, where countries including the UK, US, and China agreed on the necessity of international action to manage potential risks associated with AI. In line with this commitment, the UK announced the establishment of a UK AI safety institute to advance knowledge in this field. The institute will examine and evaluate new types of AI to understand their capabilities. The recent investment of £118 million in AI skills funding further demonstrates the UK’s dedication to becoming “AI match-fit” and harnessing the transformative benefits of AI technology. The investment includes funding for 12 Centres for Doctoral Training (CDT) in AI and a new visa scheme to attract talented AI researchers to the UK. The release of these guidelines and the ongoing efforts to strengthen AI security reflect the growing concerns within the science and technology community regarding the rapid development of advanced AI systems.