Artificial intelligence has long been a subject of both fascination and fear, its development shaped as much by technological advances as by political ambition and economic competition. In the past year alone, three major summits have been held to address AI’s trajectory–first in the United Kingdom in late 2023, then in South Korea in May 2024, and now in Paris. But unlike its predecessors, which largely focused on AI security and long-term existential risks, the Paris Summit aims to shift the conversation towards the broader public interest. Co-chaired by India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it challenges the dominance of the United States and China, advocating for a more inclusive, global approach to AI governance and development.
This shift in focus is both necessary and urgent. The AI narrative in recent years has been dominated by apocalyptic predictions of human extinction and societal collapse, often promoted by leading American technology firms. While these fears are not entirely unfounded, they serve a strategic purpose: they divert attention from more immediate concerns such as job displacement, data privacy, and the monopolisation of AI by a handful of powerful corporations. By keeping regulators preoccupied with distant threats, these firms ensure that meaningful short-term regulation remains minimal. Meanwhile, AI continues to reshape economies, influence political discourse, and exacerbate social inequalities. The Paris Summit seeks to counter this narrative by bringing the real-world impacts of AI–on governance, labour markets, and digital rights–back to the forefront.
The geopolitical stakes of AI development are immense. Until recently, the United States enjoyed an almost unchallenged lead in AI innovation, but China has been rapidly closing the gap. This technological rivalry is not merely about economic advantage; it is also about global influence. AI is increasingly a tool of geopolitical power, from military applications to algorithmic governance. The war in Ukraine has already demonstrated how AI-driven technology is transforming modern warfare, from battlefield surveillance to autonomous weapon systems. The question is whether AI will continue to be developed primarily for strategic dominance, or whether nations can agree on frameworks that prioritise ethical and societal benefits over military and economic supremacy.
For this to happen, AI governance must become genuinely global. The participation of India as a co-chair of the Paris Summit is significant in this regard, signalling the need to include perspectives beyond those of Western nations. Too often, discussions about AI’s future are shaped by the concerns of wealthy countries–privacy, misinformation, economic disruption–while the priorities of the Global South remain secondary. Yet AI has profound implications for these regions, from its potential in healthcare and education to its role in reinforcing digital colonialism. If AI is to serve the general interest, it cannot be designed solely through the lens of Western priorities. A more inclusive conversation is needed, one that incorporates diverse economic, cultural, and ethical perspectives.
Ultimately, the Paris Summit represents an opportunity to recalibrate our approach to AI. Rather than being swept along by hype cycles or dominated by fear-driven narratives, policymakers must engage in serious, balanced discussions about AI’s role in society. The Global Partnership on AI, launched by France already in 2019, was an attempt to facilitate such discussions, bringing together researchers and policymakers to address not just technical challenges but also AI’s social and environmental consequences. The task ahead is to ensure that these efforts translate into action–into regulations, investments, and international agreements that prioritise human well-being over corporate profit or geopolitical rivalry. AI is at a crossroads, and the choices made today will determine whether it becomes a tool of equitable progress or another instrument of global division.
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