US And UK Decline AI Declaration Over Regulatory Concerns

The United States and the United Kingdom declined to sign a joint declaration on artificial intelligence at the Paris AI Summit on Tuesday, citing concerns over regulatory overreach and national security.

The declaration, endorsed by dozens of countries, including China, called for AI development to be “open, inclusive, transparent, ethical, safe, secure and trustworthy,” as reported by DW.

US Vice President JD Vance defended Washington’s decision, arguing that excessive regulations could stifle innovation. “We believe that excessive regulation of the AI sector could kill a transformative industry,” Vance said at the summit, as reported by DW.

He also warned against AI becoming a tool for “authoritarian censorship” and criticized EU regulations, such as the Digital Services Act and GDPR, for imposing high compliance costs on businesses.

While the UK did not provide a detailed explanation for its stance, a spokesperson for Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that the declaration lacked “practical clarity” on global governance and did not adequately address national security concerns, said DW.

Furthermore, The Guardian reports that when asked if Britain had declined to sign because it wanted to align with the US, Starmer stated they were “not aware of the US reasons or position” on the declaration. A government source dismissed the idea that Britain was trying to gain favour with the US.

However, a Labour MP remarked: “I think we have little strategic room but to be downstream of the US.” They further noted that US AI firms might cease engaging with the UK government’s AI Safety Institute, a leading global research body, if Britain was seen as adopting an overly restrictive stance on the development of the technology, as reported by The Guardian.

China’s decision to sign the declaration surprised some observers, given its history of strict government control over AI development.

Although Vance did not directly reference China in his remarks, he alluded to the risks of relying on “cheap tech” subsidized by authoritarian regimes, warning that such partnerships could compromise national security, as noted by DW.

French President Emmanuel Macron acknowledged concerns over regulatory barriers but emphasized the need for “trustworthy AI.”

DW reports that he emphasized the importance of regulations to maintain public trust in AI systems. The European Commission supported this view, with President Ursula von der Leyen calling for streamlined bureaucracy while ensuring robust oversight.

However, the EU AI Act has faced criticism, particularly regarding the potential influence of Big Tech companies in shaping AI standards. Critics have also raised concerns about significant loopholes, especially regarding policing and migration authorities.

India, which co-hosted the summit alongside France, took a central role in the discussions. I

ndian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for international cooperation to establish AI governance frameworks that uphold democratic values and mitigate risks. The Élysée Palace announced that India would host the next AI summit, as reported by DW.

The summit took place amid growing tensions in the AI industry, with ongoing competition between US-based OpenAI and Chinese AI firms. The absence of US and UK signatures highlights the ongoing divide between regulatory approaches to AI development worldwide.