Paris: The United States and Britain have chosen not to sign the Paris AI Summit's declaration titled 'Statement on Inclusive and Sustainable Artificial Intelligence'. The declaration, which was a key focus of the summit, emphasized the importance of making AI open, inclusive, transparent, ethical, safe, secure, and trustworthy while considering international frameworks for all. It also aimed at ensuring AI remains sustainable for both people and the planet. While the US has yet to publicly clarify its reasons for abstaining, the decision has raised questions among the summit's participants.
According to Kuwait News Agency, a spokesperson for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated on Tuesday that discussions were still ongoing regarding the declaration. The spokesperson emphasized that Britain is participating in other initiatives and remains committed to collaborating with international partners, including France. They further remarked, "We will only ever sign up to initiatives that are in the UK's national interest." The Elysee expressed optimism, suggesting that additional countries might endorse the declaration post-event.
US Vice President JD Vance addressed the summit, articulating concerns that Europe's stringent regulations on artificial intelligence could potentially stifle technological innovation. Vance criticized the European Union's approach, particularly its Digital Services Act and GDPR, arguing that such regulatory measures could lead to prohibitive compliance costs for smaller firms. He asserted that the United States aims to maintain its leadership in AI and opposes what he termed as "authoritarian censorship" through excessive content moderation. Vance stressed the importance of keeping AI free from ideological bias and highlighted America's commitment to fostering an environment where AI can thrive without overregulation.