U.S. and U.K. Refuse to Sign Paris AI Summit Statement as 61 Nations Agree

The Artificial Intelligence Action Summit in Paris aimed to unite world leaders around a shared vision for AI governance. However, the United States and the United Kingdom refused to sign the final joint declaration, highlighting ongoing geopolitical divisions over AI policy.

The statement, signed by 61 countries including China, India, Japan, Australia, and Canada, emphasizes the need for AI to be “open, inclusive, transparent, ethical, safe, secure, and trustworthy.” It also calls for global cooperation on AI governance to address emerging challenges.

Despite broad international support, early reactions criticized the declaration as lacking ambition.

“At the next international summit, we should not repeat this missed opportunity,” said Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei. “The advance of AI presents major new global challenges. We must move faster and with greater clarity to confront them.”

More countries may sign the agreement in the coming days.

Why the U.S. and U.K. Refused to Sign

U.S. Vice President JD Vance defended the decision, arguing that the U.S. must maintain leadership in AI development without external influence.

“We feel very strongly that AI must remain free from ideological bias and that American AI will not be co-opted into a tool for authoritarian censorship,” Vance stated during the summit’s closing ceremony.

He further asserted, “The United States of America is the leader in AI, and our administration plans to keep it that way.”

The U.S. decision also follows a broader pattern under President Donald Trump’s second term, where the country has distanced itself from global agreements, previously withdrawing from international bodies such as the World Health Organization and the Paris Climate Agreement.

For the United Kingdom, the decision not to sign was driven by concerns that the declaration lacked practical clarity on global AI governance and did not sufficiently address national security issues. A UK government spokesperson stated that while the UK continues to engage with countries like France and the U.S. on AI matters, it will “always put the national interest first.” This aligns with the UK’s cautious approach to international agreements that could impact its regulatory autonomy.

The Debate Over AI Regulation

AI regulation was a key theme at the summit, with leaders emphasizing the need for both oversight and innovation.

• European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen defended the EU AI Act, emphasizing its role in creating a single, unified set of AI regulations for 450 million people across the European Union. “This is the purpose of the AI Act—to provide for one single set of safe rules across the European Union, instead of 27 different national regulations and safeties in the interest of business,” she stated. Acknowledging concerns about regulatory complexity, she added, “At the same time, I know that we have to make it easier, and we have to cut red tape—and we will.”

• French President Emmanuel Macron called for simplifying AI regulations to keep Europe competitive while still supporting international governance. “It’s very clear that we have to synchronize with the rest of the world in terms of transmission, permitting, authorization, clinical trials—in all the different sectors,” he emphasized. Striking a balance between oversight and innovation, he added, “It’s not a question of defiance or thwarting innovation. It’s about enabling [innovation] at an international level while avoiding fragmentation.”

Macron also warned against excessive restrictions that could stifle progress, urging governments to "avoid the risk-opportunity dilemma" and resist regulatory barriers that could hinder AI development.

Looking Ahead

The U.S. and U.K.’s refusal to sign the Paris AI Summit statement reflects broader disagreements over how AI should be governed internationally. While 61 countries committed to ethical AI principles and global cooperation, major AI players like the U.S. are prioritizing independent leadership and less restrictive policies.

As AI development accelerates, these divisions could shape the future of global AI regulation, competition, and governance. However, true progress in AI—both in innovation and safety—will depend on international collaboration. Working together across borders fosters knowledge-sharing, strengthens safeguards, and ensures AI benefits society as a whole. Collaboration breeds innovation, and a united approach will be key to navigating the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Editor’s Note: This article was created by Alicia Shapiro, CMO of AiNews.com, with writing, image, and idea-generation support from ChatGPT, an AI assistant. However, the final perspective and editorial choices are solely Alicia Shapiro’s. Special thanks to ChatGPT for assistance with research and editorial support in crafting this article.