The geopolitics of artificial intelligence (AI) is set to dominate discussions at the Paris AI Action Summit, where world leaders, top executives, and industry experts will converge to shape the future of AI governance. The high-profile summit, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aims to forge ethical, democratic, and sustainable AI development strategies. However, the event unfolds at a critical juncture, marked by former U.S. President Donald Trump’s ambitions for AI dominance and China’s groundbreaking DeepSeek chatbot.
AI Governance Takes Center Stage in Paris
The Paris AI Action Summit, running from February 10, will bring together key global figures, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and tech giants like OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Microsoft President Brad Smith, and Google CEO Sundar Pichai. U.S. Vice President JD Vance, on his first international trip since taking office, will represent Washington, while China is sending Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing as President Xi Jinping’s special envoy—a significant elevation from its previous representation.
This year’s discussions will extend beyond AI safety to explore broader topics such as AI’s impact on the workforce, environmental sustainability, and inclusivity. While the 2023 AI summit in the U.K. led to a non-binding pledge by 28 nations to address AI risks, organizers in Paris are pushing for more expansive commitments. Macron is advocating for a joint declaration on ethical AI principles, though the extent of U.S. participation remains uncertain.
Trump’s AI Strategy and Its Global Implications
The U.S. President Donald Trump has made clear his intent to position the U.S. as the “world capital of artificial intelligence.” His AI strategy hinges on leveraging the country’s vast energy resources to power AI advancements, while simultaneously rolling back regulatory constraints. In a controversial move, Trump has withdrawn the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement once again and revoked former President Joe Biden’s executive orders on AI safeguards.
Trump’s administration is replacing these safeguards with policies that prioritize AI innovation while removing perceived ideological biases from AI systems. This stance may create friction in Paris, where global leaders are pushing for cooperative AI governance. “Trump is against the very idea of global governance,” remarked Nick Reiners, senior geotechnology analyst at the Eurasia Group, warning that the U.S. position could derail consensus at the summit.
DeepSeek: China’s AI Disruptor
China’s AI sector has been gaining momentum, with its latest breakthrough—the DeepSeek chatbot—garnering international attention. DeepSeek has emerged as a formidable rival to Western AI giants like OpenAI, offering a budget-friendly and highly capable alternative. The chatbot’s rapid rise has intensified the geopolitical rivalry between China and the U.S., with Trump describing DeepSeek as a “wake-up call” for American tech firms.
Amid allegations that DeepSeek’s model was trained on stolen OpenAI data, the chatbot is now facing scrutiny and bans in several countries over security and privacy concerns. Despite these controversies, DeepSeek aligns with France’s vision of an open-source AI ecosystem, challenging the dominance of U.S. tech firms. “DeepSeek is seen as proof that AI innovation doesn’t necessarily require billions of dollars in chips and data centers,” Reiners noted.
A Shift Towards Public-Interest AI
Beyond the power struggles, the summit aims to champion public-interest AI initiatives. A new partnership, “Current AI,” will be launched with an initial $400 million investment and plans to raise $2.5 billion over five years. The initiative seeks to democratize AI access by providing open-source tools and datasets for researchers and organizations working on AI-driven solutions for healthcare, climate change, and societal challenges.
Macron has expressed a desire to move beyond the “AI arms race” and focus on practical applications that benefit humanity. “This is a pivotal moment where we must determine not only how to mitigate AI’s risks but also how to harness its potential for good,” said Martin Tisné, the summit’s envoy for public-interest AI.
Challenges from the European Union
The European Union’s AI regulatory framework is also a key topic at the summit. The EU recently introduced a non-binding “code of practice” under its AI Act, aiming to standardize AI governance across its 27 member states. However, major U.S. tech firms, including Meta, have voiced strong opposition, calling the regulations “unworkable.”
Trump has taken issue with EU regulations, arguing that they unfairly target American tech companies. His recent outburst at the World Economic Forum, where he labeled the EU’s multibillion-dollar fines against U.S. firms as “a tax on American innovation,” signals potential conflicts at the summit.
The Future of AI Governance
As world leaders and tech executives gather in Paris, the future of AI governance remains uncertain. Will the summit result in meaningful commitments toward ethical AI development, or will geopolitical rivalries overshadow collaborative efforts? With the U.S. prioritizing AI dominance, China pushing forward with DeepSeek, and Europe tightening regulations, the global AI landscape is at a crossroads.
One thing is clear: AI is no longer just a technological advancement; it is a geopolitical battleground that will shape the world for decades to come.
