US and UK refuse to sign AI safety declaration at Paris Summit
US and UK opt out of a global AI safety declaration at the Paris summit, with VP JD Vance warning that over-regulation could stifle innovation and challenge US AI leadership.
Created on February 12|Last edited on February 12
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At the AI Action summit in Paris, the United States and the United Kingdom declined to sign a declaration aimed at ensuring artificial intelligence is "safe, secure, and trustworthy." Vice President JD Vance, representing the Trump administration, warned European leaders against adopting “overly precautionary” AI regulations, arguing that restrictive policies could stifle innovation. The declaration, signed by about 60 other countries, calls for AI to be developed with openness, transparency, and ethical considerations.
Vance made it clear that the US intends to remain the dominant force in AI development, emphasizing the need for AI systems to be built with American-designed chips and infrastructure. He also pushed back on global AI regulatory frameworks that he claimed could hinder the technology’s growth.
Shift in AI policy
The refusal to sign marks a significant shift from the Biden administration, which had previously supported similar international AI agreements. Keegan McBride, a lecturer at the Oxford Internet Institute, described the US stance as a "180-degree turnaround," signaling a break from previous efforts to promote global AI cooperation.
The US also expressed concerns about the summit’s AI foundation, Current AI, which France launched to support AI development, particularly in French-speaking countries. A US official suggested that such initiatives could be used to channel investments in ways that do not align with American interests.
Geopolitical competition and AI leadership
The decision to reject the declaration also reflects the growing competition between the US and China in AI development. The arrival of a new AI model from DeepSeek, a Chinese research lab, has rattled Silicon Valley companies like OpenAI, raising concerns that China is making faster advances than expected.
Vance also issued a warning against partnering with "authoritarian regimes," indirectly referring to China. He cited past cases, such as the global expansion of Chinese telecom infrastructure, as examples of how such partnerships could lead to security risks.
Europe’s efforts to compete in AI
Meanwhile, European leaders at the summit announced around 200 billion euros in planned investments to strengthen the region’s AI capabilities. With China and the US leading in AI development, European countries are seeking ways to become more self-sufficient and competitive.
However, Vance’s speech signaled that the US is unwilling to relinquish its lead in AI, dismissing European ambitions as secondary to American dominance. Frederike Kaltheuner of the AI Now Institute described the US response as a blunt reality check for Europe, reinforcing the idea that major AI decisions will continue to be shaped by American leadership.
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