US, UK notably absent from the document's signatories
A new document advocating for an "inclusive" and "open" approach towards artificial intelligence (AI) garnered 60 signatories in Paris this week, which notably did not include the United States and the United Kingdom.
The document, unveiled during the Paris AI Action summit, states that its signatories recognise the need for "inclusive multistakeholder dialogues and cooperation on AI governance."
They also recognise the need to enhance the "shared knowledge on the impacts of AI in the job market… to better anticipate AI implications for workplaces, training, and education."
The statement also affirms the following main priorities when it comes to AI:
The 64 signatories of the document included countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, China, and the Vatican, as well as unions including the European Union and the African Union Commission.
"Australia with other signatories agreed to the Statement on Inclusive and Sustainable Artificial Intelligence for People and the Planet," Australia's Department of Industry, Science, and Resources said in a media release.
"The summit and statement reaffirm the need for a multi-stakeholder and inclusive approach to AI governance that will allow AI to be human rights-based, human-centric, ethical, safe, secure, [and] trustworthy."
Notably, the United States and United Kingdom were absent from the list of signatories.
A spokesperson from the UK government said the declaration did not say much on global governance.
"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," a spokesperson told The Guardian.
Despite this, the spokesperson clarified that the UK government agreed with much of the leaders' declaration and will continue to work closely with international partners.
"This is reflected in our signing of agreements on sustainability and cybersecurity today at the Paris AI Action summit."
The US has yet to issue a statement on why it did not sign the document, but US Vice President JD Vance, who was also present at the Paris summit, warned against too much regulation on AI.
"We believe that excessive regulation of the AI sector could kill a transformative industry just as it's taking off, and we'll make every effort to encourage pro-growth AI policies," Vance said in his speech.
According to Vance, the Trump administration will also maintain a "pro-worker growth path" for AI to ensure that it can be a "potent tool for job creation in the United States."
"AI, I really believe, will facilitate and make people more productive," Vance said, noting that he appreciates the point made by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was also present at the summit.
"It is not going to replace human beings. It will never replace human beings. And I think too many of the leaders in the AI industry — when they talk about this fear of replacing workers, I think they really miss the point. AI, we believe, is going to make us more productive, more prosperous, and more free."
The Paris AI statement comes amid a growing call on governments and organisations to regulate AI amid its widespread adoption in society, including workplaces.
The European Union enacted last year the AI Act, which will be fully applicable in August 2026. Among its provisions is a restriction on the use of emotional recognition systems at work.
