WASHINGTON (AP) — U. S. Vice President JD Vance is set to participate in a two-day high-profile summit on artificial intelligence in Paris next week, along with attending the annual Munich Security Conference in Germany. This marks his first official trip abroad since assuming office. The AI Action Summit, scheduled for February 10-11, will bring together heads of state, senior government officials, CEOs, and other key players from the tech sector, which is undergoing rapid innovation. In contrast, the Munich summit serves as an ongoing platform for global security discussions and has gained increased relevance in light of Russia’s continuing war against Ukraine and various other global issues. The White House confirmed Vance's travel plans following a statement by a French diplomatic official regarding his participation in the Paris summit. This engagement represents Vance’s initial public involvement in foreign policy since he took office on January 20, as the newly established Trump administration aims to reestablish an “America First” approach. His participation coincides with the Trump administration's considerations regarding the continuation of U. S.

security and economic support for Ukraine, strategies to limit the growing collaboration between Russia and Iran, and efforts to address a more assertive China—all while pursuing a protectionist economic stance that risks imposing tariffs on both allies and adversaries. Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang is anticipated to be among the attendees at the summit, which will be co-chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The event is set to occur at the Grand Palais, which hosted last year's Olympic fencing and taekwondo events. Additionally, a dinner featuring high-ranking officials and CEOs is planned at the Elysee presidential palace. Vance's travel follows U. S. President Donald Trump’s announcement last month regarding a significant joint venture projected to invest up to $500 billion in AI-related infrastructure through a new collaboration involving OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank. This venture, named Stargate, aims to establish the data centers and electricity supply necessary for further advancements in the rapidly evolving AI landscape in Texas, as per information from the White House. At the same time, the introduction of the Chinese AI model DeepSeek has disrupted the tech industry by providing access to advanced technology at significantly reduced costs, potentially pressuring other AI companies to enhance their models and lower their pricing. Vance has previously recognized some detrimental applications of AI but expressed concern during a Senate hearing in July that the fear surrounding these issues may lead to "preemptive overregulation attempts that would essentially reinforce the current tech incumbents. " ___ Corbet reported from Paris. Associated Press writer Darlene Superville contributed to this report from Washington.