US and UK refuse to sign AI declaration at Paris summit

Paris AI summit: US, UK refuse to sign declaration

The US and UK decline to sign an international AI agreement, citing national security concerns, as Vance and Macron clash over regulation at the Paris summit.

The UK and US have failed to sign an international agreement on artificial intelligence (AI) at a global summit in Paris. The declaration, signed by dozens of countries including France, China and India, promises an “open”, “inclusive” and “ethical” approach to the development of the technology.

In a brief statement, the UK government said it could not add its name to it due to concerns about national security and “global governance”. Earlier, US Vice President J.D. Vance told delegates in Paris that excessive regulation of AI could “kill a transformative industry as it begins to take off”, reported by the BBC.

Vance contradicts Macron

Vance told world leaders that AI is “an opportunity that the Trump administration will not squander” and said that “policies to promote AI” should be prioritized over security. His comments appeared to put him at odds with French President Emmanuel Macron, who has defended the need for further regulation. “We need these rules to make AI move forward,” Macron told the summit. The UK has previously been a proponent of AI security, with then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak hosting the world’s first AI security summit in November 2023.

Andrew Dudfield, head of AI at fact-checking organisation Full Fact, said the government’s decision not to sign up to the Paris Communiqué had put that at risk. “By refusing to sign up to today’s international declaration on action on artificial intelligence, the UK government risks undermining its credibility as a world leader in safe, ethical and trustworthy AI innovation,” he said.

UKAI welcomes the government’s refusal to sign up

However, UKAI – the UK trade body representing businesses operating in the sector across the country – said it was the right decision. “While UKAI agrees that environmental responsibility is important, we are uncertain how to balance this responsibility with the growing energy needs of the AI industry,” said its chief executive, Tim Flagg.

“UKAI cautiously welcomes the government’s refusal to sign up to this declaration as a sign that it will explore the more pragmatic solutions that UKAI has called for – preserving opportunities to work closely with our American partners,” he added.