The AI Action Summit is beginning in Paris today where the representatives from about 100 nations will seek to establish a common framework for the safe development of artificial intelligence. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to advocate global guidelines on AI, aligning with his broader push for an international regulatory framework for digital technologies. The summit, scheduled for February 10-11, will bring together global leaders to discuss both the challenges and opportunities AI presents in governance and beyond.
One of the central debates at the Paris Summit will be how to harness the immense potential of AI while mitigating its risks. Ensuring effective regulatory oversight without stifling innovation will be a key agenda item. Additionally, discussions will focus on ways to leverage AI for public good. Prime Minister Modi is set to co-chair the summit and has accepted France’s invitation to attend in person.
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Lessons from Bletchley Park and Seoul
The Paris Summit follows the AI Safety Summit held in 2023 at Bletchley Park, UK, and a subsequent gathering in Seoul in 2024. At Bletchley, 25 nations, including the U.S. and China, signed the Bletchley Declaration on AI Safety, expressing concerns over potential catastrophic risks associated with AI. The Seoul Summit in May 2024 saw 16 leading AI companies voluntarily commit to developing AI in a transparent and responsible manner. The Paris meeting is expected to build on these earlier commitments while striving for more concrete regulatory measures.
One of the most pressing concerns in the AI sector is the increasing concentration of power among a few dominant tech firms. Companies like Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, and Meta control foundational AI models, raising concerns over monopolisation. For Europe, the summit is especially significant, as AI development is increasingly seen as a competition between American tech giants and Chinese state-backed innovation.
India’s AI strategy in the global context
The AI Action Summit is particularly crucial for India, given recent developments in China. Last month, Chinese AI firm DeepSeek made headlines by releasing an open-source Large Language Model (LLM) that rivals ChatGPT-4 at a fraction of the cost. This breakthrough signals an urgent need for India and other nations to ramp up AI research and investment. However, India’s commitment remains modest—despite AI being a frontier technology, the Indian government has allocated only Rs 500 crore to establish a Centre for Excellence in AI and Education, an amount seen by many as insufficient given the scale of required investment.
A major challenge for India is its relatively low investment in research and development (R&D). While China spends 2.65% of its GDP on R&D, India invests only 0.7%. The disparity is even more pronounced in private sector contributions: Chinese industries invest 2.06% of GDP in R&D, compared with just 0.23% in India. In 2024 alone, China’s total R&D spending grew by 8.3%, reaching approximately 3.6 trillion yuan. Despite US efforts to curb China’s technological advancements, companies like DeepSeek continue to achieve significant milestones, positioning China as a major AI powerhouse.
US response and India’s positioning
Meanwhile, Washington is making massive strides to maintain its AI dominance. The US government has launched a major AI initiative, with OpenAI, SoftBank, Oracle, Microsoft, and Nvidia collaborating to build a new AI infrastructure. The Stargate Project, expected to attract $500 billion in investment over the next four years, aims to supercharge American AI capabilities.
India cannot afford to lag behind. It must take lessons from China’s AI advancements, particularly in cost-effective model training. Foundational AI models can now be developed at a fraction of the cost previously estimated by industry leaders such as OpenAI and Google. By strategically investing in AI, India can bolster its competitiveness without the need for astronomical funding.
Europe’s regulatory hurdles
Europe faces significant challenges in the AI sector due to stringent regulations and bureaucratic hurdles, which have made it difficult for its tech companies to compete with their American and Chinese counterparts. Similarly, India faces its own barriers, including limited investment, regulatory uncertainty, and a talent drain. Given these challenges, the Paris Summit represents a crucial opportunity for international cooperation and policy alignment.
French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Modi have both taken a keen interest in the summit, underscoring its strategic importance. The event is expected to foster greater collaboration among nations, particularly in setting global AI standards.
Ethical and policy considerations
While competition in AI development is intensifying, policymakers must not lose sight of three key concerns: privacy, systemic bias, and intellectual property rights. As global leaders gather in Paris, they must work toward collective scientific foundations and sustainable AI solutions that benefit all. Importantly, discussions should also address equitable AI access for developing nations, ensuring that technological advancements do not deepen existing global disparities.
If successful, the AI Action Summit could serve as the foundation for a global policy framework guiding AI development. However, much will depend on the willingness of the US to cooperate, especially under the newly elected Trump administration, which has historically been sceptical of international regulatory frameworks.
The world now looks to Paris to shape the future of AI governance. India, standing at a critical juncture, must seize this opportunity to position itself as a key player in the global AI ecosystem.