Macron relaunches Europe of AI and challenges USA and UK at the Paris summit | What is generative ai | | Generative ai in finance and accounting | Turtles AI

At the Paris AI summit, Emmanuel Macron promotes France and Europe as technology leaders, mocks Trump and urges investors to choose the EU for AI. The summit is marked by diplomatic tensions over a joint declaration, with the US and UK reluctant.

Key points:

• Macron and AI: The French president extols France as a technology hub and promotes nuclear energy over fossil fuels.
• Diplomatic clash: US and UK reluctant to sign a declaration on ethical and sustainable AI.
• Environmental challenges: AI consumes huge resources, regulation for sustainability is urgently needed.
• Inequality and work: Unions concerned about the risk of economic imbalances without protection for workers.

Paris becomes the center of the global debate on AI with the international summit that saw French President Emmanuel Macron at the forefront of promoting Europe as a player in the sector. In front of an audience of investors and technology companies, the head of the Elysée highlighted the strategic importance of the continent and France in the field of AI, leveraging the energy stability guaranteed by nuclear power. In his speech, Macron mocked the energy policies of former US President Donald Trump, referring to his pro-fossil slogan “drill, baby, drill” and contrasting it with the European reality, summarized in the joke “plug, baby, plug”, alluding to the availability of electricity without the need for new drilling.

However, the summit was not without diplomatic friction. A draft joint statement, containing references to inclusive and sustainable AI, met with resistance from the United States and the United Kingdom. Washington has reportedly expressed concerns about the wording, while London has maintained a wait-and-see stance, saying it is still in the negotiating phase. The possibility of the UK backing out of signing the declaration remains open, with government sources reiterating the need for a text that is fully in line with British interests.

The document in question emphasizes the need for AI based on ethical principles, safety and reliability, but gives less space to the risk of extreme scenarios than previous statements, such as the inaugural summit held in the UK in 2023. Experts such as Max Tegmark have warned of the dangers of poor regulation, saying that failure to address the most advanced risks could result in disastrous consequences. The Ada Lovelace Institute has also criticized the draft’s approach, arguing that it does not adequately reinforce international commitments on AI safety.

In addition to geopolitical aspects, the summit has raised important questions about the environmental impact of the technology. Anne Bouverot, Macron’s AI appointee, opened the proceedings by highlighting the need for a sustainable development model, aware of the enormous expenditure of resources needed to train and maintain AI systems. A position shared by Christy Hoffman, secretary general of the UNI Global Union, who warned of the risks of AI amplifying inequalities without adequate protection for workers. Without employment guarantees, Hoffman warned, technology could exacerbate economic inequalities and put pressure on democratic stability.

In the context of the event, Macron also used the media element to highlight the potential of the technology, posting a deepfake video on Instagram featuring ironic versions of himself, including a montage of him dancing in 1980s-inspired outfits. On a practical level, the French president called for an acceleration of AI projects in Europe, comparing the strategy to that adopted for the reconstruction of the Notre Dame cathedral, completed in record time. According to Macron, Europe must overcome bureaucratic obstacles to compete with technological superpowers such as the United States and China.

The Paris summit has thus highlighted the dual face of AI: on the one hand, an extraordinary opportunity for economic and technological development, on the other, a global challenge that requires effective regulations and a long-term vision.