UK and US refuse to sign international AI declaration

The UK and US have not signed an international agreement on artificial intelligence (AI) at a global summit in Paris.

The statement, signed by dozens of countries including France, China and India, pledges an “open”, “inclusive” and “ethical” approach to the technology’s development.

In a brief statement, the UK government said it had not been able to add its name to it because of concerns about national security and “global governance.”

Earlier, US Vice President JD Vance told delegates in Paris that too much regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) could “kill a transformative industry just as it’s taking off”.

Vance told world leaders that AI was “an opportunity that the Trump administration will not squander” and said “pro-growth AI policies” should be prioritised over safety.

His comments appear to put him at odds with French President Emmanuel Macron, who defended the need for further regulation.

“We need these rules for AI to move forward,” Macron said at the summit.

The UK has previously been a champion of the idea of AI safety, with then prime minister Rishi Sunak holding the world’s first AI Safety Summit in November 2023.

Andrew Dudfield, head of AI at fact-checking organisation Full Fact, said the government’s decision not to sign the Paris communique put that in jeopardy.

“By refusing to sign today’s international AI Action Statement the UK Government risks undercutting its hard-won credibility as a world leader for safe, ethical and trustworthy AI innovation,” he said.

However UKAI – a trade body representing businesses working in the sector across the country – said it was the right decision.

“While UKAI agrees that being environmentally responsible is important, we question how to balance this responsibility with the growing needs of the AI industry for more energy,” said its chief executive Tim Flagg.

“UKAI cautiously welcomes the Government’s refusal to sign this statement as an indication that it will explore the more pragmatic solutions that UKAI has been calling for – retaining opportunities to work closely with our US partners”, he added.