French President Emmanuel Macron speaks with Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI. (Credit: AURELIEN MORISSARD—AFP/Getty Images)
At the recent AI Summit in Paris, representatives from over 100 countries gathered to discuss the future of artificial intelligence (AI) and how to establish global guidelines for its development. While many nations expressed enthusiasm for fostering an inclusive and ethical AI ecosystem, the United States and the United Kingdom notably declined to sign the summit’s final declaration. The document called for policies ensuring AI is “open, inclusive, transparent, ethical, safe, secure, and trustworthy.”
The two-day event highlighted growing divisions among global powers regarding AI governance. Europe champions regulation and investment, China focuses on expanding access through state-backed initiatives, and the US advocates for minimal regulatory interference. Here’s a closer look at the summit, the declaration, and the reasons behind the US and UK’s refusal to join.
AI Summit
Leaders at the summit emphasized the importance of creating a diverse and inclusive AI framework grounded in human rights, ethics, safety, and trustworthiness. However, concerns were raised that excessive regulation could hinder innovation and technological progress.
Another critical focus was bridging the digital divide by supporting developing nations in AI development. This effort aims to reduce inequalities and ensure equitable access to AI’s benefits. French President Emmanuel Macron, who co-hosted the event with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, described the summit as a “wake-up call for European strategy,” acknowledging the continent’s lag in the global AI race.
The summit concluded with a nonbinding declaration outlining foundational principles for AI development. Countries were invited to sign the pledge, but not all agreed.
What Did the Declaration Propose?
The Pledge for a Trustworthy AI in the World of Work outlined six key priorities:
- Promoting AI accessibility to reduce digital divides.
- Ensuring AI systems are open, inclusive, transparent, ethical, safe, secure, and trustworthy, aligned with international frameworks.
- Fostering conditions for AI innovation while avoiding market monopolies.
- Encouraging AI deployment that positively impacts labor markets and supports sustainable growth.
- Making AI environmentally sustainable.
- Strengthening international cooperation to coordinate global AI governance.
Sixty countries, including Canada, China, France, and India, signed the declaration. However, the US and UK opted out.
United States
The US did not provide an official reason for its decision. However, Vice President JD Vance voiced concerns during his speech about overregulation stifling innovation. He warned that stringent rules could “kill a transformative industry” and criticized European frameworks for imposing heavy compliance costs on companies. Vance also expressed fears that certain content moderation efforts might lead to “authoritarian censorship.”
United Kingdom
A spokesperson for UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that the declaration lacked clarity on global governance and failed to address national security challenges posed by AI. “Security remains a vital part of AI’s future, and we look forward to continuing discussions in this area,” the spokesperson said.
Who Is Leading the AI Race?
Currently, the AI race appears to be dominated by the US and China, though other players are emerging.
Why Didn’t the US and the UK Sign?
United States
The US has maintained a strong position in AI development, largely thanks to private sector innovations. OpenAI’s ChatGPT, launched in November 2022, became the fastest-growing consumer app in history, amassing over 100 million users within months. Other competitors, such as Google’s Gemini and Elon Musk’s Grok, have since entered the fray.
Former President Donald Trump has pledged full support for advancing AI in the US. In a recent announcement, he unveiled a $500 billion private-sector initiative called Stargate, involving OpenAI, Softbank, and Oracle. The project aims to build data centers and create more than 100,000 jobs. However, internal disputes—such as the ongoing legal battle between OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Musk—have cast some uncertainty over the initiative.
China
China has made significant strides, particularly with the surprise launch of DeepSeek, an AI chatbot developed for a fraction of the cost of its US counterparts. While some countries have blocked DeepSeek due to security concerns, its rapid rise underscores China’s growing competitiveness in AI.
Toby Walsh, chief scientist at the University of New South Wales’ AI Institute, noted that China has caught up significantly, turning the race into a two-nation contest. “The race isn’t over,” he added.
Europe
Europe faces challenges in catching up due to its stringent regulatory environment. Adrian Monck, a former World Economic Forum managing director specializing in AI, stressed that the issue extends beyond the US-China rivalry. “It’s a global issue that requires leadership from multiple countries,” he said.
Jody Westby of Global Cyber Risk pointed out that unraveling the EU’s comprehensive Artificial Intelligence Act will be difficult, as parts of it are already in effect. She questioned whether Europe can create a business-friendly environment for AI development amid these regulations.
Can Europe Compete?
While Europe seeks to balance regulation with innovation, experts remain skeptical about its ability to close the gap with the US and China. Westby argued that the EU’s strict laws may deter investment and slow progress. Meanwhile, Monck echoed Macron’s sentiment that failing to foster economic growth through AI could lead to global instability.
Conclusion
The Paris AI Summit underscored both the opportunities and challenges of shaping AI’s future. While many countries embraced the call for ethical and inclusive AI, the US and UK’s reluctance to sign the declaration highlights ongoing tensions overregulation versus innovation. As the AI race intensifies, collaboration and compromise will be crucial to ensuring this transformative technology benefits humanity as a whole.