US and UK refuse to sign Paris summit declaration on ‘inclusive’ AI

At a summit in Paris focused on artificial intelligence (AI), most countries agreed to a declaration promoting “inclusive and sustainable” AI. This declaration emphasises that AI should be open, transparent, ethical, safe, secure, and trustworthy, while also being accessible and fair for everyone. It also stresses the importance of making AI sustainable for both people and the environment. Sixty countries, including France, China, India, Japan, Australia, and Canada, supported the declaration. However, the US and the UK did not sign it, which was surprising given their influential roles in the tech industry.

The UK did not sign because it felt the declaration did not go far enough in addressing global governance and national security concerns. They argued that it lacked specific rules and strategies for managing AI worldwide and did not sufficiently address security risks, such as cyber threats and misinformation. Despite this, the UK agreed with many ideas in the declaration and signed other agreements on AI sustainability and cybersecurity at the summit. However, they wanted more detailed and practical guidelines for governing AI and ensuring national security.

The US also chose not to sign, with Vice-President JD Vance criticising Europe’s approach to regulating technology as overly strict. He argued that excessive regulation could stifle innovation and prevent the AI industry from growing. Vance emphasised the need for rules that encourage technological advancement rather than restricting it. He also warned against close cooperation with China on AI and technology, citing national security risks, particularly related to data privacy and information infrastructure. Vance suggested that partnering with authoritarian governments, like China’s, could pose long-term risks to national security.

There was speculation that the UK avoided signing the declaration to align with the US. The UK government denied this, but some politicians suggested that the UK is strategically inclined to follow the US’s lead on tech policy, given the US’s dominant role in the AI industry. There are also concerns that US tech companies might stop collaborating with the UK if it takes a more restrictive approach to AI regulation.

The UK’s decision received mixed reactions. Some campaign groups and experts criticised it, arguing that it could harm the UK’s reputation as a leader in ethical and safe AI development. They called for stronger actions to protect people from AI-related risks, such as misinformation. However, the UK insisted that it remains committed to ethical and safe AI but wants a more detailed and practical approach to global AI governance.

During his speech, JD Vance expressed concerns about Europe’s strict digital regulations, arguing that they could limit technological innovation and restrict freedom of speech. He also warned against the risks of partnering with authoritarian countries, particularly China, due to national security concerns. Vance emphasised the importance of international cooperation in AI but insisted that regulations should not hinder technological progress or compromise national security.

Despite the US and UK’s decision not to sign, France indicated that more countries might join the declaration even after the summit. Meanwhile, the US and UK are expected to continue working on their own AI strategies while collaborating with international partners on issues like cybersecurity and sustainability. This disagreement reflects a global debate on how to balance innovation and safety in AI development. While the US and UK are cautious about heavy regulation, fearing it could slow down technological progress and compromise security, other countries advocate for stricter rules to ensure AI is ethical, safe, and fair.