Milestone Systems subscribes to G7 Code of Conduct for AI

The Danish company is a first mover in this regard

Milestone Systems – a leading provider of data-driven video technology software for security and other allied applications – has confirmed that the company has voluntarily signed and will implement the G7 Code of Conduct for advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems.

On October 30, 2023, the G7 countries (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, the US, and the EU) reached an agreement on the International Guiding Principles on AI and a voluntary Code of Conduct for AI developers under the Hiroshima AI process to promote safe, secure, and trustworthy AI worldwide.

Establishing guardrails

The G7 Hiroshima Artificial Intelligence Process was established at the G7 Summit on May 19, 2023, to promote guardrails for advanced AI systems on a global level.

Milestone Systems has become one of the first global tech companies to adopt and implement the G7 Code of Conduct for advanced AI systems and follows the European Union’s agreement to enact an AI Act.

Thomas Jensen, CEO of Milestone Systems, stated: “We need rules to ensure AI is being developed to serve humanity. But companies should not wait for regulation. They must take steps to identify and resolve the weaknesses and pitfalls of the AI they develop. 

“Regarding AI-enabled video, we have just scratched the surface of its potential benefits and uses. However, we also understand some pitfalls, such as bias and false positives.

“At Milestone, we are taking significant steps to address potential weaknesses of our tools. By signing up to the G7 Code of Conduct, we will continue to focus on building our software with trust, transparency, and accountability at the front of our minds,” Jensen added.

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Welcoming the agreement by G7 leaders on International Guiding Principles on AI and the voluntary Code of Conduct for AI developers under the Hiroshima AI process, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, said: “The potential benefits of Artificial Intelligence for citizens and the economy are huge. However, the acceleration in the capacity of AI also brings new challenges.

“Already a regulatory frontrunner with the AI Act, the EU is also contributing to AI guardrails and governance at the global level. I welcome the G7 international Guiding Principles and the voluntary Code of Conduct, reflecting EU values to promote trustworthy AI. I call on AI developers to sign and implement this Code of Conduct as soon as possible.”

11 International Guiding Principles on Artificial Intelligence (AI):

-Take appropriate measures throughout the development of advanced AI systems, including before and throughout their deployment and placement on the market, to identify, evaluate, and mitigate risks across the AI lifecycle.

-Identify and mitigate vulnerabilities and, where appropriate, incidents and patterns of misuse after deployment, including placement on the market.

-Publicly report advanced AI systems’ capabilities, limitations, and appropriate and inappropriate use domains to ensure sufficient transparency.

-Work towards responsible information sharing and reporting of incidents among organisations developing advanced AI systems, including with industry, governments, civil society, and academia.

-Develop, implement, and disclose AI governance and risk management policies grounded in a risk-based approach – including privacy policies and mitigation measures, particularly for organisations developing advanced AI systems.

-Invest in and implement robust security controls across the AI lifecycle, including physical security, cybersecurity, and insider threat safeguards.

-Develop and deploy reliable content authentication and provenance mechanisms such as watermarking or other techniques to enable users to identify AI-generated content.

-Prioritise research to mitigate societal, safety and security risks and prioritise investment in effective mitigation measures.

-Prioritise the development of advanced AI systems to address the world’s most significant challenges, notably but not limited to the climate crisis, global health, and education.

-Advance the development of and, where appropriate, adoption of, where appropriate, international technical standards.

-Implement appropriate data input controls and audits.

Věra Jourová, Vice-President for Values and Transparency, European Commission, noted: “Trustworthy, ethical, safe, and secure, this is the generative artificial intelligence we want and need. With the international principles and the Code of Conduct, the EU and our like-minded partners can lead the way in making sure AI brings benefits while addressing its risks. We call on generative AI developers to commit to applying the Code of Conduct.”

On regulations

Jensen added: “While we applaud the [EU’s] AI Act, implementing it will take a while, potentially, a couple of years. In the meantime, companies should strive to stay ahead of the regulations.

“We must not shutter innovation, but to prevent a public and regulatory backlash, AI businesses should strive to build trustworthy AI. Adopting the G7 Code of Conduct is one step all companies should take to help ensure responsible use of technology and foster public trust in its new possibilities.”

Milestone Systems is a stand-alone company in the Canon Group.

Featured image: The Milestone Systems pavilion at Intersec expo (January 16-18, 2024), Dubai World Trade Centre. Image: Arnold Pinto