During the AI Action Summit held against the stunning backdrop of the Grand Palais museum in Paris, UN Secretary-General António Guterres cautioned that the increasing concentration of AI capabilities could exacerbate geopolitical divides. He emphasized the urgent need for "global guardrails" and the sharing of best practices to promote solidarity, equity, and fair business practices. With national leaders, technology CEOs, and even Pharrell Williams in attendance, Guterres also advocated for clean energy solutions, noting that AI data centers already exert "an unsustainable strain" on the planet. “It’s essential to design AI algorithms and infrastructures that utilize less energy and incorporate AI into smart grids for optimized power use, ” he asserted. “From data centers to training models, AI should operate on sustainable energy to encourage a more sustainable future. ” Guterres continued, stating that the rapidly advancing field of AI should accelerate the achievement of universally agreed Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) rather than “entrench inequalities. ” Addressing unfounded fears, superstar Pharrell Williams mentioned that concerns about AI making humans obsolete or eliminating jobs were exaggerated. “There’s just too much fear surrounding it, ” he remarked. He added, “We wouldn’t use AI to help us write a song, ” stressing that technology “wouldn’t replace creativity…We faced a similar situation around the year 2000, and we’re fine; we survived that. ” Speaking on behalf of US interests, Vice-President JD Vance announced plans for a $450 billion investment in the AI sector but warned against excessively strict regulations.

“Overregulation could stifle a transformative industry just as it begins to take off, ” he cautioned. Regarding AI's evolution, Choi-Soo-yeon, CEO of South Korea’s AI company Naver, stated that today’s consumers seek “not websites, but relevant information” tailored to their needs. “By understanding the underlying intent and context of users, AI will suggest products that align with their true preferences, ” she observed. “This is expected to create a commerce platform where diverse tastes and personalities can coexist and connect actively. ” Highlighting the UN’s commitment to ensuring that no one is left behind by emerging technologies, Guterres referred to the Global Digital Compact on AI governance, which Member States endorsed in September last year. He described the Compact as bringing the world together around a common vision: one where technology benefits humanity, not vice versa. He urged all nations to support the formation of an Independent International Scientific Panel on AI. Equally critical is the creation of a Global Dialogue on AI Governance involving all UN Member States, “to coordinate global governance efforts and enhance interoperability, uphold human rights in AI applications, and avert misuse…We must avoid a world of AI ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots, ’” Guterres insisted. Addressing the challenges posed by energy-intensive AI data centers, Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), confirmed that electricity demand trends are already being influenced by data centers and other key AI infrastructure requirements.