Andy Burnham wants Britain to use its upcoming G20 presidency to broker a global agreement on artificial intelligence.
The Mayor of Greater Manchester told reporters in New York on the eve of the UN General Assembly that the UK is "uniquely positioned to play a leadership role on AI," according to Politico Europe. He said Britain should use its turn running the G20 to push other governments toward a shared framework for the technology. Burnham did not spell out what such an agreement would require signatories to do, or how the UK would bring rivals like the US and China into it.
Global agreements struck through the G20 have historically produced statements of intent rather than enforceable rules, and Burnham's comments don't suggest a break from that pattern. There's also a basic question of standing: Burnham runs a UK city, not the national government, and G20 positions are normally set and delivered by the sitting Prime Minister. Whether he's describing agreed government policy or just making the case for one isn't clear from what he said.
Until Downing Street confirms this is actually the UK's negotiating position, file "global AI agreement" under aspiration, not policy.