Ooh La La and AI: Global regulation talks continue at French summit

The third AI Action Summit, co-chaired by France and India, will convene global leaders, scientists, and industry experts in Paris on February 10-11, 2025, to address artificial intelligence governance and innovation.

Event Overview and Participation: The summit will bring together a diverse group of global stakeholders to discuss AI regulation and development.

• 60 heads of state and government will attend, including U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, European Commission President Ursula Van der Leyen, Chinese Deputy Prime Minister Ding Xuexiang, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi
• The event will feature Nobel and Turing Prize laureates among hundreds of scientists and academic researchers
• More than 300 AI firms will participate in business meetings at Station F, with numerous side events open to civil society and NGOs

Key Focus Areas: The summit aims to address the multifaceted impact of AI on society, going beyond technological considerations.

• Discussions will explore AI’s influence on knowledge, work, information, culture, and language
• Environmental implications of AI technology, particularly regarding climate change and water resources, will be examined
• Trust, ethics, and governance frameworks in AI development will be central topics

French Strategic Positioning: France is leveraging the summit to showcase its AI capabilities and attract foreign investment.

• The country highlights its AI research excellence, including prominent figures like Yann Le Cun, Meta’s Chief AI scientist and 2018 Turing Prize winner
• France’s AI ecosystem includes over 1,000 startups that raised €1.9 billion in 2024, with Mistral AI emerging as a notable player
• The nation emphasizes its advanced computing infrastructure, both public and private, powered by decarbonized electricity

Innovation Initiative: The summit will support AI development for social good.

• 50 innovative “AI for Good” projects have been selected to receive funding and promotional support
• These projects demonstrate practical applications of AI technology for societal benefit

Diplomatic Implications: While the summit may not generate major policy announcements, it serves critical diplomatic purposes.

• The event aims to facilitate convergence in AI governance approaches across nations
• It provides a platform for ongoing dialogue about AI regulation in an increasingly fragmented global landscape
• The summit represents an effort to balance innovation with responsible AI development

Looking Ahead: The summit’s success will likely be measured by its ability to maintain meaningful dialogue on AI governance rather than by immediate policy outcomes, particularly as nations navigate competing interests in AI development and regulation.