Prior to the two-day global Paris AI Summit 2025, France’s President Emmanuel Macron shared that investors would invest 109 billion euros in AI steering strategies in France over the coming years. These funds will go into building data centers, a plan Macron described as a turning point for France and linked it to the $500 billion AI data center project that US President Donald Trump launched last month. France appears to be upping its investment game in AI against what the US is pursuing. The optimistic French president even showcased a bunch of AI-generated spoof movies of himself in various positions to advertise the summit.
Scientists, technology industry leaders and world leaders were assembled in Paris for the AI Summit at the Grand Palais to discuss the possible effects of AI on global governance, economy, and security. A lot of themes were voiced, but the limelight fell upon Chinese AI startup DeepSeek and its groundbreaking model that is less expensive and uses less energy compared to those used by the big techs. Another highlight of the event involved the signing of more than 60 nations, including France, China, India, and Germany, on ‘Inclusive and Sustainable AI’ in which the US and UK chose to opt out of the declaration.
Angle-1: Open, Inclusive and Ethical Use of AI
In a major move on the different practices on AI, the CIPP’s (Certified Information Privacy Professional) long-favored platform-based strategy was accepted in the Paris Declaration. The goal of this "Statement on Inclusive and Sustainable Artificial Intelligence for People and the Planet" is to make AI "sustainable for people and the planet". Likewise, it highlighted the significance of AI being "open, inclusive, transparent, ethical, safe, secure, and trustworthy, taking account of international frameworks for all."
The declaration included France's proposal for a global platform to support public interest AI initiatives with autonomous, open-access, and sovereign AI solutions.
The declaration also included a list of other important matters, such as increasing accessibility to AI to lessen digital divides by connecting geographical and social divides, and ensuring universal access to AI technology. Secondly, it emphasized on encouraging AI innovation by preventing market concentration and creating favorable conditions for its growth. This is planned by establishing a setting that discourages monopolistic behavior while encouraging AI innovation. Next, directing AI ‘s usage towards improving labor markets and the nature of employment in the future while creating chances for long-term growth utilizing AI to advance sustainable economic growth and provide employment possibilities was declared. The agenda also included bolstering international cooperation to harmonize AI governance frameworks to encourage coordination in international governance.
The summit successfully brought the much-needed clarity against the global AI debate, signaling a significant change in the way the world views AI. But the US’ and UK’s decision marked the end of a ‘longtermist’ approach to AI safety and here is why
The US and the UK Opt Out
The US and the UK chose to not sign the declaration for the open, inclusive, and ethical use of AI. On the US’ side, JD Vance, the US vice president, stated that the country wants to work with all signatories and start the AI revolution in the "spirit of openness and collaboration." He indicated that the nation believes AI will produce productive, prosperous and more flexible outcomes. However, he firmly stated that forging that kind of confidence requires worldwide legal frameworks that support rather than stifle the development of AI technology.
The summit intends to make AI safe and reliable for people all around the globe, besides deploying it for increased economical and perhaps, an AI that’s safer for the environment. But both nations' refusal on the deal called on members to figure out how to cut back on usage.
Angle-2: Global AI Governance - China’s Stance
Vice Premier of the State Council Zhang Guoqing, who spoke on behalf of President Xi Jinping at the summit, associated AI to being a vital force pushing the current wave of scientific and technological advancements as well as industrial transformation. He added that China remains strong in supporting the voices and representation of developing nations in global AI governance for equal rights, opportunities, and regulations for AI development and governance for all nations, conducting international cooperation and aid for developing nations, and continuously closing the intelligence and governance capacity gaps.
UN’s Stance
António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations gave a heads up on the rising focus of AI capabilities widening geopolitical rifts. Guterres recalled the Global Digital Compact on AI governance, which Member States adopted last year, proving that the UN continues to ensure that no one is left behind by this emerging technology. The Secretary-General called upon every UN member state to join in on an AI governance discussion to have all global governance efforts and reinforce their interoperability to uphold human rights in AI applications, and prevent misuse. Additionally, he invited every country to lend its support on building an Independent International Scientific Panel on AI. He denoted that technology should serve humanity and not the other way around.
Angle-3: Directing AI’s Focus on Clean Energy
Guterres stressed the urgent need of promoting independence, equitable policies and fair business, ‘global guardrails’. Most importantly, he urged clean energy solutions, revealing how AI data centers seemed to have worsened the unsustainable strain on the planet. He mentioned how there can be no AI without energy in light of the thousands of data centers that are planned for the coming years. He acknowledged that it might be challenging for governments, but it’s crucial to find electricity in a clean, sustainable and affordable way.
Angle-4: Dispelling Concerns on AI Replacing Humans
Singer-superstar Pharrell Williams dismissed concerns around AI replacing humans or taking over employment. He nudged discussions to debate the technology’s potential and risks. Speaking on behalf of the entertainment industry, Pharrell assured that there is no need to use AI when it comes to composing music, confidently saying that technology will never replace creativity.
Angle-5: India’s Stance
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who co-chaired the event along with President Macron, spoke on the importance of creating high-quality data sets without biases and embracing open-source models. He implied that transparency and reliability of AI systems depends on high-quality data sets that are free from biases. He pointed out that training data for creating AI models must neither be unrepresentative of real-world situations nor carry systemic errors, otherwise data bias can be formed in AI, which will lead to generating skewed, unjust, or erroneous results. He believes that this bias will often reinforce stereotypes and only aggravate human prejudice and discrimination. Similar to most leaders, the PM also urged international cooperation to steer AI towards economic growth, social transformation, and sustainable development. Furthermore, he passed a positive note imploring the possible effects of the technology on employment.