Global leaders gathered in Paris on Tuesday for formal discussions on artificial intelligence (AI), aiming to establish common ground on a technology that has sparked a global race for economic dominance.
French President Emmanuel Macron and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted the event, which took place just hours after reports emerged that Elon Musk had made a bid for AI developer OpenAI, highlighting concerns over AI’s concentration of power.
Efforts to reach a global consensus on AI governance remain challenging, as countries such as the United States and China prioritize their own technological and geopolitical interests. Media reports indicate that neither the United States nor Britain—both leading AI innovators—will sign a proposed joint declaration in its current form.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, in a draft speech seen by AFP, emphasized the need for “clear rules” to encourage AI adoption while ensuring responsible governance. Key figures at the plenary session included US Vice President JD Vance, Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
A leaked draft of the joint statement faced criticism for allegedly overlooking AI’s potential existential risks. Max Tegmark, head of the Future of Life Institute, expressed concerns that the document failed to address threats AI poses to humanity’s future.
The AI landscape continues to evolve rapidly, with the United States’ $500 billion “Stargate” program and the rise of China’s cost-efficient AI startup DeepSeek showcasing the competitive nature of the industry. Reports from the Wall Street Journal also suggested that Musk had submitted a $97.4-billion bid for OpenAI, a move that could further expand his tech empire, which includes Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI. OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, responded to the reported bid with a succinct “no thank you” on social media.
In Europe, Macron has pledged to cut through bureaucratic obstacles to accelerate AI infrastructure development. He announced plans for €109 billion ($113 billion) in AI investments over the coming years, leveraging France’s nuclear energy capabilities to power AI systems efficiently. In a nod to former US President Donald Trump’s pro-fossil fuel stance, Macron remarked, “Here, there is no need to drill, it’s plug, baby, plug!”
Von der Leyen is expected to make further announcements on Europe’s AI competitiveness, with analysts suggesting that the EU is striving to establish an ethical and responsible approach distinct from those of the US and China.
Beyond political discussions, OpenAI’s Altman was scheduled to address business leaders at Paris’ Station F tech campus. In a recent blog post, he warned that AI’s growing capabilities could disrupt the balance between capital and labor.
On the economic front, World Trade Organization chief Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala highlighted AI’s potential to increase global trade by up to 14 percentage points. However, she cautioned that fragmented AI regulations could hinder both trade and economic output.
Meanwhile, International Labour Organization head Gilbert Houngbo pointed out that AI-driven automation is primarily affecting clerical roles, which are disproportionately held by women. While AI has so far created more jobs than it has replaced, he warned that automation could exacerbate the gender pay gap if not properly managed.
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