New Chapter in Global Leaders’ Discussion at AI Summit in Paris, Separate Talks between Modi, Macron, and Vance

New Chapter in Global Leaders’ Discussion at AI Summit in Paris, Separate Talks between Modi, Macron, and Vance

World leaders gathered in Paris for an important meeting on Artificial Intelligence (AI), where discussions focused on the economic benefits of the technology and finding common solutions in global competition. The summit was hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Vice President JD Vance. Several hours before the meeting, news broke that Elon Musk had submitted a bid for OpenAI, sparking discussions about the potential of concentrating the power of AI in one hand.

The summit's discussions are centered on the regulation of AI and reaching a consensus on its global usage. However, major tech-powerhouse countries like the United States and China are pursuing their own priorities, which could hinder the path to global agreement.

According to media reports, the United States and the United Kingdom, both leading AI nations, will not sign a joint declaration. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated, "Clear rules are necessary for good AI governance, which will enhance the technology’s acceptability."

Leaders started arriving at the Grand Palace at 8:45 AM (0745 GMT), with the full session beginning at 10:00 AM (GMT). Attendees included U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

There has been criticism regarding a secret draft, which did not mention the potential risks of AI for humanity’s future. Max Tegmark, head of the American Future of Life Institute, commented, "This draft omits the risks."

Meanwhile, French President Macron announced plans to reduce red tape in France to build AI infrastructure in Europe and maintain competitiveness. He said, "We will adopt the 'Notre-Dame de Paris' strategy, as France rebuilt the Notre-Dame Cathedral in just five years after the fire in 2019."

Additionally, before giving a speech in Paris, OpenAI's CEO Sam Altman said, "As AI systems become more powerful, the balance of power between capital and labor could shift rapidly."

World Trade Organization (WTO) Chief Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala stated, "The widespread acceptance of AI could help increase global trade by 14%, but the global division of technology and data flows could reduce trade and production."

Gilbert Houngbo, head of the International Labour Organization, further noted, "AI is replacing clerical jobs predominantly held by women, which could exacerbate gender-based wage disparities."