Global Commitment to Inclusive Artificial Intelligence Progress

February 12, 2025

The AI Action Summit held in Paris on February 11, 2025, marked moment for international collaboration on artificial intelligence. Fifty-eight countries, including India, China, Brazil, France, and Australia, signed a joint statement advocating for inclusive and sustainable AI. Notably absent were the United States and the United Kingdom, which raised questions about their stance on global AI governance.

Key Themes of the Joint Statement

The joint statement emphasises the need for AI to be accessible, ethical, and human-centric.
It calls for conditions that encourage innovation while avoiding market concentration.
The signatories aim to ensure that AI development positively influences the future of work and labour markets.
The statement also stresses the importance of narrowing inequalities and assisting developing nations in building AI capacities.

The Role of India and France

India and France co-chaired the summit, denoting their leadership in global AI discussions. Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi urged for collective efforts to establish governance and standards that reflect shared values. The summit’s outcomes suggest a commitment to encouraging an inclusive AI landscape that prioritises safety and trust.

Absence of the United States and the United Kingdom

The absence of the US and UK from the list of signatories drew attention. US Vice President J.D. Vance expressed concerns about excessive regulation stifling innovation. He advocated for pro-growth policies and warned against the dangers of ideological bias in AI. The UK government cited a lack of agreement on key issues as the reason for its non-participation.

International Reactions and Future Directions

The summit’s discussions included a focus on reducing bureaucratic hurdles to AI development. French President Emmanuel Macron called for trustworthy AI, signalling the need for regulation alongside innovation. The European Commission also aims to streamline processes to ensure Europe does not lag behind the US and China in AI advancements.

Next Steps for Global AI Governance

As the summit concluded, it was announced that India would host the next event of this nature. The focus will likely remain on creating frameworks that ensure AI is developed responsibly and inclusively.

« Previous Post