Around 60 parties sign statement on AI at Paris summit

Around 60 countries, including China, on Tuesday signed a Statement on Inclusive and Sustainable Artificial Intelligence for People and the Planet, at the end of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Summit in Paris.

In the statement, the signatories agreed that the summit has laid out an open, multi-stakeholder and inclusive approach that will enable AI to be human rights-based, human-centric, ethical, safe, secure and trustworthy.

They also laid down priorities and launched concrete actions to promote public interest and bridge digital divides through accelerating progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

According to the statement, priorities are promoting AI accessibility; ensuring that AI is open, inclusive, transparent, ethical, safe, secure and trustworthy; innovation in AI; encouraging AI deployment in labor markets, and making AI sustainable for people and the planet.

China is willing to work with other countries to promote development, safeguard security, share achievements in the field of AI, and jointly build a community with a shared future for mankind, Zhang Guoqing, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and a vice premier of the State Council, and Chinese President Xi Jinping's special representative, said at the summit on Monday.

Although U.S. Vice President JD Vance gave a keynote speech at the summit, the U.S. refused to sign the statement.

Unlike French President Emmanuel Macron, who said that a global regulation on AI governance is required, Vance said that excessive regulation of the AI sector could "kill a transformative sector just as it's taking off."

The AI Action Summit in Paris was held on February 10 and 11, focusing on five major themes: Public Interest AI, Future of Work, Innovation and Culture, Trust in AI and Global AI Governance.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated on February 7 at a regular press conference that China looks forward to enhancing communication and cooperation with all parties through participation in this summit, building consensus and actively promoting the implementation of the United Nations' Global Digital Compact.

"We also welcome countries to attend the 2025 World Artificial Intelligence Conference in China, to shape a globally recognized AI governance framework and promote the beneficial and inclusive development of artificial intelligence," Lin said.

(Cover: The Artificial Intelligence Action Summit at the Grand Palais in Paris, France, February 10, 2025. /VCG)