Paris (TDI): The United States and the United Kingdom refused to sign the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Summit declaration on Tuesday. The United States raised concerns over the wording “inclusive and sustainable” in the declaration, making it grounds for refusal.
Both the United States and the United Kingdom refused to elaborate on the reason. However, later on, the official spokesman of the British Prime Minister stated that their government had worked with the French government throughout this process and that they remain one of the closest partners of the United Kingdom. Still, the UK will only sign up for initiatives that are in its national interest.
More than 60 countries backed the declaration to support and promote the advancements in artificial intelligence. Leaders and officials from several countries, including Canada, the UK, the US, and India, participated in the summit.
While addressing the participants of the Summit, JD Vance, Vice President of the United States stated “Hostile foreign adversaries have weaponized AI software to rewrite history, surveil users, and censor speech ….I want to be clear: this administration will block such efforts, full stop.” He also said, “This administration will always focus on workers as we develop artificial intelligence technologies. American workers deserve a seat at the table as we develop new policies that will lead to higher wages, safer communities, and more prosperity across our country.”
This administration will always focus on workers as we develop artificial intelligence technologies.
American workers deserve a seat at the table as we develop new policies that will lead to higher wages, safer communities, and more prosperity across our country. pic.twitter.com/FDTXRfpUkE
— Vice President JD Vance (@VP) February 11, 2025
While indicating that the US will be working with others on AI, JD Vance also encouraged the countries not to work with China. He said that some authoritarian regimes have stolen and used artificial intelligence to strengthen their military technologies and created propaganda to undermine other nations’ national security.
🇺🇸@VP JD Vance speaks at the AI Summit in Paris:
“Hostile foreign adversaries have weaponized AI software to rewrite history, surveil users, and censor speech… I want to be clear – this Administration will block such efforts, full stop.” pic.twitter.com/WvEzxQxQT8
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 11, 2025
Contrarily, French President Emmanuel Macron not only called for international cooperation on technology but also for smart regulations and the need for rules. He announced a €109 billion investment in the AI sector of France.
In 2024, the United Nations passed a resolution on mobilizing AI for the protection of human rights and personal data.
In November 2023, the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Rishi Sunak, held the world’s first AI Safety Summit, making the UK a pioneer of the idea of safe use of artificial intelligence.
Following the summit, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, announced the launch of InvestAI, an initiative to mobilize the investment of €200 billion along with a new fund of €20 billion for AI gigafactories. She also said that the AI race is just beginning.
The AI race is just beginning.
Building on the European AI Champions initiative, I’m glad to announce InvestAI 🇪🇺
We aim to mobilise €200 billion in AI investments in Europe ↓ https://t.co/PaLTUDsVpm
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) February 11, 2025
The AI Summit was kickstarted by President Emmanuel Macron, who posted a compilation of his deepfake videos. During the summit, policymakers and diplomats discussed the benefits and risks of AI technologies.
The move came after United States President Donald Trump announced a $500 billion project known as Stargate, which is to be built by OpenAI and SoftBank in America.
