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Germany is setting up a national artificial intelligence (AI) safety institute to better assess the opportunities and risks linked to advanced AI models.<\/p>\n
Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger said on Tuesday that the new body – modelled on the British institute – should bring together “top expertise from world-leading experts” to quickly test new models such as Anthropic’s Claude Mythos and offer advice to the German government.<\/p>\n
The new German institute was approved by the National Security Council on Monday, aiming to analyse the capabilities and potential dangers of AI systems.<\/p>\n
The institute is also expected to work more closely with similar bodies abroad and push for common international standards on the use of AI.<\/p>\n
Key aims of the new body include a focus on AI security – meaning protecting against cyberattacks – but also on AI safety, ensuring models do not become dangerous for humanity.<\/p>\n
The development of Mythos made waves earlier this year after Anthropic warned the new model could uncover software vulnerabilities in operating systems, leading the company to delay its release.<\/p>\n
While the German government initially did not receive access to the new tool, the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) – which has led the government’s efforts on AI security so far – is in contact with Anthropic.<\/p>\n
The new German AI agency is to begin work as a virtual institution, before a site is found as a suitable headquarters.<\/p>\n
Many countries already have such institutes. An international meeting on standardizing AI safety standards was held in Seoul in December, with the BSI also taking part.<\/p>\n
Germany’s coalition government set up the National Security Council last year to respond quickly and effectively to crises and threats of all kinds.<\/p>\n
The council, chaired by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, also discussed the security situation in the Middle East on Monday.<\/p>\n
It decided to review laws governing the supply of essential goods and critical infrastructure to the population and the armed forces in times of crisis, and adapt them to current challenges.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n