At the Paris AI Action Summit, the US and UK made a significant move by refusing to sign a landmark declaration on “inclusive and sustainable” artificial intelligence (AI), much to the disappointment of those advocating for a global consensus on AI regulation and development as reported by The Guardian.
Global Declaration on AI
The declaration, which has been signed by 60 countries—including France, China, India, Japan, Australia, and Canada—calls for the development of AI that is “open, inclusive, transparent, ethical, safe, secure, and trustworthy.” It also emphasizes how important it is to make AI sustainable for the sake of the environment and people. The US and the UK, however, refused to sign the declaration as they had concerns over certain aspects of the declaration.
A UK government spokesperson expressed concerns that the declaration failed to address global AI governance and its national security impact. The UK agreed with parts of the declaration but felt it lacked clarity on global AI governance and security issues.
Vice President of the United States, JD Vance criticized Europe’s regulatory strategy, pointing out what he saw as “excessive regulation” of the artificial intelligence industry. Vance cautioned that too strict laws would hinder the development of a game-changing sector like AI. He urged Europe to take a more positive approach to AI and emphasized the significance of international policies that promote innovation.
Tensions Between US and Europe on AI Regulation
Vance’s comments reflected growing tensions between the US and Europe over AI regulation. The US has pursued a more lenient approach, while Europe has enacted comprehensive regulations, such as the AI Act. Using the UK’s AI Safety Summit in 2023 as an example of over-cautiousness, Vance warned European leaders in his speech to concentrate on enabling AI technology rather than overemphasizing safety issues.
The US and the UK have voiced concerns over the possible threats AI poses to national security. Vance specifically pointed to the dangers of partnering with “authoritarian”. He warned about cooperating with regimes that might exploit AI to infiltrate and control information infrastructure, sparking global concerns.
Also read: PM Modi Calls for Global AI Framework at AI Action Summit in Paris
Criticism of the UK’s Decision
Campaign groups and experts criticized the UK’s refusal to sign, warning it could harm the country’s global AI reputation. Andrew Dudfield, head of AI at Full Fact, expressed concern that the UK’s refusal to endorse the declaration could undermine its credibility as a leader in ethical AI innovation. Similarly, Gaia Marcus, director of the Ada Lovelace Institute, stated that the UK’s actions were counterproductive to the global governance that AI urgently needs.
