Britain has snubbed France by joining the US in refusing to sign the Paris AI summit declaration, deepening global splits over artificial intelligence, reports The Times.
The Trump administration had been opposed to language in the communiqué that talked of “inclusive and sustainable” AI, and Downing Street appears to have sided with Washington.
The decision casts a shadow over the summit, which President Macron hoped would bring nations together to develop AI for the public benefit.
It also places Britain and America at odds with Europe and developing countries over approaches to AI.
The communiqué, signed by 61 countries, including China, talks of “ensuring AI is open, inclusive, transparent [and] ethical”, making AI “sustainable for people and the planet” and “taking into account international frameworks”. The US had pushed for such language to be taken out of the statement.
A [British] government spokesperson said: “We agreed with much of the leaders’ declaration and continue to work closely with our international partners. This is reflected in our signing of agreements on sustainability and cybersecurity today at the Paris AI Action Summit.
“However, we felt the declaration didn’t provide enough practical clarity on global governance, nor sufficiently address harder questions around national security and the challenge AI poses to it. Security remains a vital part of AI’s future and we look forward to continued discussions in this area.”
Sir Keir Starmer did not travel to the summit, instead sending Peter Kyle, the technology secretary.
The text was released as JD Vance, the US vice-president, warned leaders at the summit that America will not tolerate foreign governments “tightening the screws” on US companies. Vance outlined the Trump administration’s “America First” tech policy, with rebukes over misinformation rules, European regulation, “woke” AI and Chinese “theft”.
Vance also walked out of a gala dinner hosted by Macron in protest at comments by China and did not stay for a group photo of leaders at the summit after his speech.