Understanding the US and UK Stance on the Global Pact

As leaders, technology executives, and policymakers gathered in Paris for the AI Action Summit this week, there were significant expectations for a fruitful meeting. Critical topics included the governance of artificial intelligence, along with the ethical, political, and economic challenges posed by AI—issues recognized as necessitating collaborative action from global stakeholders.

However, the standout news from Paris emerged from the refusal of the US and UK to endorse a pivotal declaration intended to promote ethical, inclusive, transparent, and sustainable AI development. In total, 61 countries and organizations, such as France, India, China, Indonesia, Italy, UAE, the EU, and the African Union, agreed on the ‘Inclusive and Sustainable Artificial Intelligence for People and the Planet’ accord. This agreement highlights the necessity of international collaboration in maintaining AI as open, ethical, and accessible, while preventing monopolization by a few dominant players.

The agreement outlines six primary objectives including: enhancing AI accessibility to bridge digital divides; promoting an open, transparent, and trustworthy AI environment; fostering innovation in AI while avoiding excessive market concentration; encouraging AI use beneficial to the labor market and sustainable growth; ensuring AI practices are sustainable for both people and the planet; and strengthening international cooperation for improved global AI governance and policy coordination.

Concerns surrounding the impact of AI on labor markets were underscored in the declaration, which called for proactive initiatives to alleviate job displacement and leverage AI for economic growth. The US and UK’s refusal stemmed from apprehensions regarding national security, regulatory challenges, and sovereignty in AI policymaking. A UK government spokesperson stated the declaration did not adequately address global AI governance or its implications for national security.

According to several reports, the UK expressed reservations about the global governance framework, citing a lack of practical clarity on crucial issues related to AI regulation. Britain valued much of the declaration but was hesitant to relinquish control over AI regulation to an international framework, opting instead for a domestic approach that aligns with its own policies.

The US, represented by Vice President JD Vance, adopted a more critical stance, arguing that stringent AI regulations could hinder technological advancement. Vance stated that overregulation could stifle an industry on the brink of significant growth, advocating for pro-business policies that favor innovation over restrictive frameworks.

The UK maintained that its decision to reject the agreement was made independently of the US, emphasizing a focus on balancing opportunity with security. In response, China warned against establishing ideological divisions within AI development and criticized the politicization of economic and technological matters. Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, further characterized the summit as a “missed opportunity,” stressing the need for democracies to maintain leadership amid the rapidly evolving AI landscape.