The Paris AI Action Summit, a gathering of 60 nations, concluded with notable absences in its declaration as both the United Kingdom and the United States chose not to sign the international agreement. The summit, held amidst rising trade tensions between the US and Europe, aimed to bridge the digital divide by promoting accessible artificial intelligence (AI) while ensuring its development remains transparent, safe, secure, and trustworthy. Discussions also highlighted concerns over AI's energy consumption, with experts warning of its potential to rival that of small countries in the future.
The UK, historically an advocate for AI safety, did not lend its support to the communique due to apprehensions regarding national security and global governance matters. Despite hosting the world's first AI Safety Summit in November 2023, the UK government stated it could not align with the summit's declaration at this time. Andrew Dudfield commented on this decision, emphasizing that "by refusing to sign today's international AI Action Statement, the UK Government risks undercutting its hard-won credibility as a world leader for safe, ethical, and trustworthy AI innovation."
Amidst these developments, US Vice President JD Vance addressed the delegates, cautioning that excessive regulation could stifle the burgeoning industry. He called it "an opportunity that the Trump administration will not squander." This sentiment was met with contrasting views from French President Emmanuel Macron, who defended the necessity for further AI regulation. "We need these rules for AI to move forward," Macron stated, underscoring France's commitment to a regulated approach.
The summit, described by Ursula von der Leyen as "focused on action," served as a platform for leaders to discuss pressing issues such as AI's energy use. It's the first time this topic took center stage at an international forum of this nature. The summit declaration emphasized "making AI sustainable for people and the planet," a theme echoed across various discussions.
However, tension was palpable as Macron set a lighter tone by sharing deepfake clips of himself in popular films and TV series on social media to kick off the event. This humor belied the serious discussions that followed, particularly as the UK faced criticism for its stance. Michael Birtwistle expressed confusion over the UK's decision, stating, "Looking at the summit declaration, it's difficult to pinpoint what exactly in that statement the government disagrees with."
Despite these disagreements, the UK remains committed to maintaining amicable relations with both the Trump administration and the European Union. The UK government clarified that it would not immediately retaliate against US-imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. Instead, it seeks to "retain opportunities to work closely with our US partners," while simultaneously fostering closer ties with the EU.