French President Emmanuel Macron has emphasized Europe’s and France’s potential as leaders in artificial intelligence (AI) development, amid speculation that the US and UK are playing hardball over a diplomatic declaration at the Paris AI summit.
Macron told investors and tech companies attending the summit to “choose Europe and France for AI,” highlighting the country’s reliance on nuclear energy to reduce energy consumption needed by AI. He poked fun at his US counterpart Donald Trump, who has expressed his commitment to drilling for oil and gas.
However, criticism of a draft communique threatening to overshadow the summit’s final day, where Macron will be joined by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and other world leaders. The UK is reportedly unhappy with the wording, which includes phrases such as “sustainable and inclusive AI,” and has expressed reservations about signing the declaration.
Experts have criticized the draft statement for placing less emphasis on safety than previous declarations, calling it a “recipe for disaster.” Max Tegmark, a leading voice in AI safety, urged countries to shun the statement if it is not amended.
The Paris AI summit comes as leaders gather to discuss AI’s impact on the environment and inequality. Macron’s AI envoy, Anne Bouverot, opened the two-day gathering with a speech highlighting the environmental impact of AI, which requires vast amounts of energy and resources to develop and operate.
Critics argue that without worker involvement in the use of AI, the technology risked increasing inequality. The UNI Global Union has expressed concern over this issue, saying that worker representation is essential to ensure the technology benefits society as a whole.
The summit aims to accelerate Europe’s AI development and provide a unique opportunity for startups to grow. However, tensions between countries are likely to continue as leaders navigate their differences over AI development and regulation.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/feb/10/macron-europe-trolls-trump-at-paris-ai-summit-us-uk