The US and the UK have opted not to sign the Paris AI Summit declaration concerning “comprehensive and sustainable” artificial intelligence.

The rationale behind the two countries’ decision to withhold their signatures from the document, endorsed by 60 other signatories, including China, India, Japan, Australia, and Canada, was not immediately clarified.

The UK’s Prime Minister’s official spokesperson stated that France is among the UK’s closest allies, but the government is committed to signing initiatives that align with the UK’s national interests.

Nevertheless, it was mentioned that the UK did sign the Sustainable AI Coalition of the Summit and supported the cybersecurity statement.

When asked if the UK’s refusal to sign was influenced by the US’s decision, the spokesperson asserted that the UK does not acknowledge or align with the reasons or stance of the US detailed in the declaration.

The rejection was confirmed following US Vice President JD Vance’s critical speech at the Grand Palais, denouncing the “overregulation” of European technology and cautioning against collaboration with China.

The Communique emphasized priorities such as ensuring AI remains open, inclusive, transparent, ethical, safe, secure, and reliable, while establishing an international framework for all stakeholders.

After the event, Elise Palace suggested that more countries could eventually sign the declaration.

Vance’s address conveyed dissatisfaction with the global approach to regulating and developing technology before leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Keir Starmer was notably absent from the summit.

During his inaugural overseas trip as US Vice President, Vance expressed concerns about the EU’s regulatory measures, cautioning that excessive regulation in the AI sector could stifle transformative industries.

Vance also highlighted the risks of engaging with authoritarian regimes and issued sharp warnings directed at China regarding their exports of CCTV and 5G equipment.

China’s Vice President Zhang Guoqing echoed Vance’s sentiments, cautioning against deals that appear too good to be true, referencing his Silicon Valley learnings.

Vance’s speech primarily focused on AI safety, criticizing the cautious approach of the UK’s inaugural global AI summit in 2023 branded as an AI safety summit. He contrasted this with the potential of cutting-edge technologies that could be both self-aware and risky.

In a closing remark before departing from the meeting, Vance drew parallels to the significance of swords like the one held by Marquis de Lafayette, emphasizing their potential for freedom and prosperity when wielded appropriately.

He reflected on the shared heritage between France and the US, symbolized by the Sabers, emphasizing the need for a thoughtful approach to potentially dangerous technologies like AI, guided by the spirit of collaboration seen in historical figures like Lafayette and the American founders.