The United States has declined to sign a statement summarizing the resolutions at the AI Action Summit in Paris, instead opting to present its own vision for AI development, which prioritizes opportunity over safety and regulation. In a speech at the conference, Vice President J.D. Vance outlined the Trump administration's AI action plan, which aims to maintain the US's dominant position in the field while avoiding "an overly precautionary regulatory regime."

Vance's message was clear: the US wants to be the leader in AI, and regulation is seen as a major obstacle to achieving that goal. He extended an invitation to other countries to work with the US and "follow that model if it makes sense for your nations." This approach contrasts sharply with the EU's focus on equitable AI development and stricter regulations, as emphasized by EU President Ursula von der Leyen in her speech earlier in the day.

The US's AI action plan will focus on four key areas, according to Vance. Firstly, the government will ensure that US AI technology remains the "gold standard worldwide" and a "partner of choice for others" in government and business. Secondly, the administration will prioritize deregulation and "pro-growth" AI policies to avoid stifling innovation. Thirdly, Vance emphasized the importance of preventing AI from being used as a tool for authoritarian censorship. Finally, he addressed the issue of labor, promising that the Trump administration will maintain a "pro-worker growth path for AI" to create jobs in the US.

Notably, Vance was critical of the concept of AI safety, implying that it is often used as a pretext for incumbent companies to stifle competition. He also suggested that the focus on safety is misplaced, and that the US should instead focus on seizing the opportunities presented by AI. This stance has sparked concerns among experts, who argue that regulation is necessary to prevent the misuse of AI and ensure its benefits are shared equitably.

The EU, on the other hand, is taking a more cautious approach to AI development. Von der Leyen emphasized the need for a single set of safe rules across the European Union, which would provide confidence to the people and make it easier for businesses to operate. While both the US and EU agree on the need to cut red tape, their approaches to achieving that goal differ significantly.

One of the key challenges in implementing the US's AI action plan will be reconciling its focus on deregulation with the need to protect workers and prevent the misuse of AI. Vance's speech did not provide many specifics on how the US would handle AI tools from other countries or address the impact of AI on labor, which has already led to significant job losses in the tech industry. The conference continues today, and it remains to be seen how these issues will be addressed in the coming days and weeks.

Read our full coverage of the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit in Paris for more insights and analysis on the key developments and implications of this critical event.