The UK and the US did not endorse an international agreement on artificial intelligence (AI) during a global summit in Paris. The statement, which has been endorsed by numerous countries including France, China, and India, commits to an approach to AI development that is "open, " "inclusive, " and "ethical. " A brief statement from the UK government cited national security concerns and issues regarding "global governance" as reasons for its decision not to join the agreement. During the summit, US Vice President JD Vance cautioned that excessive regulation of AI could "stifle a transformative industry just as it is beginning to emerge. " He emphasized to world leaders that AI represents "an opportunity that the Trump administration will not waste" and advocated prioritizing "pro-growth AI policies" over safety regulations. His remarks seem to contrast with those of French President Emmanuel Macron, who advocated for increased regulation, stating, "We need these rules for AI to make progress. " The UK has formerly positioned itself as a leader in AI safety, with then Prime Minister Rishi Sunak hosting the inaugural AI Safety Summit in November 2023. Andrew Dudfield, who heads AI initiatives at the fact-checking organization Full Fact, expressed concern that the UK’s failure to sign the Paris communiqué could jeopardize its credibility in promoting safe, ethical, and reliable AI innovation globally. Conversely, UKAI—a trade association for businesses in the AI sector—supported the government's decision. Its CEO, Tim Flagg, remarked, "While UKAI acknowledges the importance of environmental responsibility, we are uncertain how to strike a balance between this obligation and the AI industry’s increasing energy demands. " He added that UKAI cautiously views the Government's choice not to sign the statement as a sign that it may seek more pragmatic solutions, preserving opportunities for collaboration with US partners. The joint statement from 60 countries outlines goals to bridge digital divides by enhancing AI accessibility, while ensuring the technology’s development is "transparent, " "safe, " and "secure and trustworthy. " "Making AI sustainable for people and the planet" is also identified as a priority. For the first time, the agreement addressed the energy consumption of AI, with experts warning that it could one day rival small nations' energy use. "It’s challenging to identify precisely what aspect of the declaration the government disagrees with, " remarked Michael Birtwistle, associate director at the Ada Lovelace Institute. The government acknowledged agreeing with many parts of the leaders' declaration but felt it fell short in certain areas.

"We concluded that the declaration lacked practical clarity on global governance and did not adequately tackle the more complex questions concerning national security and the risks AI poses, " a spokesperson articulated. Additionally, the government has endorsed other agreements focused on sustainability and cybersecurity at the Paris AI Action Summit, they noted. Downing Street emphasized that the decisions made were independent of the Trump administration’s influence. "This is not about the US; it concerns our own national interests and maintaining a balance between opportunity and security, " a spokesperson confirmed.