The recent AI Action Summit in Paris marked a turning point in global AI governance, shifting the focus from long-term existential risks to immediate concerns such as innovation, economic impact, and public good. Unlike previous AI summits in Bletchley and Seoul, which prioritised safety regulations, Paris embraced a more pragmatic approach, emphasising competition, national sovereignty, and AI's role in society.

The resulting Paris Statement reflected this shift, downplaying AI safety concerns in favour of fostering open-source models, job creation, and consumer protection. As highlighted in the blog titled 'The Paris AI Summit: A Diplomatic Failure or a Strategic Success?' by Jovan Kurbalija, a major theme of the summit was the need to counterbalance the dominance of large tech corporations in shaping AI policy.

US Vice-President Vance criticised calls for strict safety regulations, arguing they often serve the interests of major AI companies rather than the public. The Paris Statement also reinforced AI sovereignty, urging nations to develop AI strategies aligned with their own frameworks rather than adhering to a universal regulatory model. Additionally, France used the summit to highlight its own advancements in AI, mainly through the open-source Mistral model.

Despite these achievements, the absence of US and UK support underscored geopolitical tensions in AI governance. The US remains wary of multilateral AI regulations that could challenge its technological leadership, while the UK, having invested heavily in AI safety initiatives, found the summit's shift in focus at odds with its strategic goals. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's decision to skip the event further signalled the country's discomfort with this new direction.

Why does it matter?

Ultimately, the Paris Summit may not have produced a sweeping declaration, but it succeeded in redefining the global AI agenda. The summit laid the groundwork for a more inclusive and action-oriented approach by moving past theoretical risks and addressing AI's real-world implications. Whether this shift will gain broader international support remains to be seen, but it is clear that Paris has opened a new chapter in AI diplomacy.