Burnham wants the world to sign up to one set of AI rules
Key Points
- UK will put AI at the centre of its 2027 G20 presidency
- Burnham wants a single set of global AI principles and standards
- The G20 includes the US and China, home to leading AI firms
- UK hosted the first global AI Safety Summit at Bletchley Park in 2023
Prime Minister Andy Burnham wants G20 nations to agree one set of global AI rules during the UK’s 2027 presidency.
Burnham told the House of Commons on Monday (12 October) that the UK will put AI at the centre of its G20 presidency, repeating a commitment he made at the UN General Assembly in New York.
“I confirmed in New York that we will place AI centre stage in our presidency, capturing the incredible opportunities it presents while guarding against the risks,” said Burnham.
The UK takes over the G20 presidency from the US in 2027. The group brings together 19 countries, the EU and the African Union, including the US and China, whose firms build most of the world’s leading AI models.
Burnham said leading industry voices, including the president of Microsoft, regard Britain as the world leader in AI safety.
“So, we are well placed to take on this role and work towards agreeing a single set of global principles and standards on AI as part of our G20 presidency year,” said Burnham.
The UK hosted the first global AI Safety Summit at Bletchley Park in November 2023, where 28 countries and the EU signed the Bletchley Declaration on AI risks.
The government set up the AI Safety Institute after that summit and renamed it the AI Security Institute in February 2025.
