UK and US Decline to Sign Global AI Declaration Amid Security and Governance Concerns
The United Kingdom and the United States have opted out of signing an international artificial intelligence (AI) agreement at a global summit in Paris, diverging from dozens of other nations—including France, China, and India—who pledged support for an “open,” “inclusive,” and “ethical” approach to AI development.
The UK government cited concerns over national security and global governance, stating that while it agreed with many aspects of the declaration, certain elements lacked the clarity needed to ensure AI’s responsible and secure deployment.
Meanwhile, US Vice President JD Vance defended the decision, warning that excessive regulation could stifle a rapidly evolving industry. Addressing world leaders, he emphasized that the Trump administration views AI as a transformative opportunity and would prioritize “pro-growth AI policies” over restrictive oversight.
US stance contrasts with that of French President Emmanuel Macron, who argued that strong regulatory frameworks are essential for the technology’s future.
“We need these rules for AI to move forward,” Macron insisted during his address at the summit.
Global AI Declaration: What You Need to Know
The Global AI Declaration, signed by 60 countries at the Paris AI Action Summit, sets out a framework for ethical, inclusive, and sustainable AI development.
The agreement emphasizes the need for transparency, security, and international cooperation, while also addressing the growing concern over AI’s environmental impact.
AI Energy Consumption: Important Issue
For the first time, world leaders formally acknowledged that AI’s energy consumption could reach levels comparable to small countries, making sustainability a priority.
Despite broad international support, the UK and the US refused to sign, citing concerns over national security and global governance.
The UK and the US did, however, sign separate agreements on AI sustainability and cybersecurity, emphasizing that their rejection of the broader declaration was not a rejection of international cooperation altogether. Downing Street also pushed back against claims that its decision was dictated by the US, insisting that its stance was based purely on national interests.
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UK’s AI Position Backed by Industry
Industry voices backed the decision, arguing that AI regulation should be balanced against economic growth and technological progress.
Tim Flagg, chief executive of UKAI, a trade group representing AI businesses, defended the move, noting that while AI sustainability is important, the growing energy demands of AI must be considered pragmatically.
“UKAI cautiously welcomes the government’s refusal to sign this statement as an indication that it will explore more pragmatic solutions—while preserving strong partnerships with the US,” Flagg said.
AI Bureaucrats Are Not Happy
The UK’s decision not to sign has raised questions about its commitment to AI safety, given its previous leadership on the issue. In November 2023, then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak hosted the world’s first AI Safety Summit, positioning the UK as a global leader in responsible AI governance.
Some experts believe this latest move undermines that reputation. Andrew Dudfield, head of AI at fact-checking group Full Fact, expressed concern that the refusal to sign the Paris communiqué could diminish the UK’s credibility in shaping ethical AI policies.
[By refusing to sign international AI Action Statement] “The UK Government risks undercutting its hard-won credibility as a world leader in safe, ethical, and trustworthy AI innovation,” Dudfield warned.
What the AI Agreement Aims to Achieve
The declaration signed by 60 countries outlines key priorities, including reducing digital divides, ensuring AI transparency, and promoting “secure and trustworthy” development. A significant focus is AI’s environmental impact, with growing concerns that energy consumption by AI models could soon match that of small nations.
Despite stepping away from the broader agreement, the UK government emphasized that it is still engaging with international AI policies, having signed separate commitments on sustainability and cybersecurity at the Paris summit.
A government spokesperson clarified:
“We agreed with much of the leaders’ declaration but felt it lacked clarity in key areas, particularly regarding global governance and national security risks posed by AI.”
Downing Street also dismissed suggestions that the UK was merely following the Trump administration’s lead.
“This isn’t about the US—it’s about our own national interest and finding the right balance between opportunity and security,” a spokesperson stated.
AI, Trade, and a Shifting Global Landscape
The AI summit took place against the backdrop of growing trade tensions between the US and Europe, particularly following President Trump’s tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. Some analysts believe that economic strategy played a role in the US and UK distancing themselves from the declaration.
While the agreement is not legally binding, it signals a global push toward stronger AI governance. Countries that signed it are expected to begin shaping new regulations to reflect its principles.
Meanwhile, the divide between those advocating stricter AI oversight and those prioritizing rapid technological advancement continues to shape the international AI policy landscape.
How the Global AI Declaration Could Reshape AI Policy and Business Worldwide
The Global AI Declaration may not be legally binding, but it is poised to shape the trajectory of AI regulation, industry investment, and international cooperation in significant ways. Countries that signed the agreement are signaling a move toward greater oversight, ethical standards, and sustainability requirements, which will have ripple effects on AI businesses, innovation strategies, and global trade dynamics.
Stricter AI Regulations in the EU and Beyond
For businesses operating in Europe, India, and other signatory nations, the declaration suggests that AI governance will become more structured and possibly restrictive. The EU already leads in regulation with the AI Act, which categorizes AI applications by risk level and imposes strict compliance requirements on high-risk AI systems.
Other signatory nations may begin implementing similar measures, aligning themselves with EU-style AI governance rather than the more laissez-faire approach favored by the US and UK.
This could create compliance hurdles for AI startups and multinational tech firms, requiring them to adapt models and products for different regulatory environments.
Just as GDPR forced global companies to overhaul their data privacy practices, an internationally backed AI framework could introduce a new layer of compliance costs for businesses aiming to operate in regulated markets.
Market Fragmentation: The Rise of AI Trade Barriers
Diverging AI policies between Europe, China, and the US could lead to fragmentation of AI markets, much like what happened with data privacy laws and cybersecurity regulations.
With the US and UK opting out of the declaration, their AI industries may enjoy fewer immediate restrictions, allowing for faster innovation but with higher risks related to ethics and security concerns.
Meanwhile, companies based in Europe or Asia may face regulatory-driven barriers when competing internationally, as their AI models will need to comply with stricter rules on transparency, fairness, and environmental impact.
This could trigger a scenario where companies prioritize different regions based on AI policy alignment, much like how some tech firms avoid the Chinese market due to stringent regulations.
AI Sustainability Requirements Will Reshape Infrastructure Investments
The declaration’s emphasis on AI’s environmental impact introduces a new dimension to regulatory oversight, forcing businesses to rethink their computational power, data centers, and energy consumption strategies.
As AI models grow larger and more resource-intensive—think GPT-4, Gemini, and Claude—governments may start enforcing carbon footprint disclosures, energy efficiency standards, or AI taxation based on compute usage.
This could have outsized consequences for cloud providers, chip manufacturers, and data centers, as businesses will need greener infrastructure to stay compliant. Companies that fail to meet emerging energy efficiency standards may find themselves restricted from government AI contracts or facing higher operational costs in regulated markets.
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China’s Strategic Advantage in AI Diplomacy
Interestingly, China signed the declaration, aligning itself with European AI governance efforts rather than the US stance. While China’s domestic AI policies are heavily state-controlled, signing onto an international AI framework allows Beijing to position itself as a cooperative AI leader on the global stage—potentially influencing future AI governance discussions.
This move could also create closer AI collaboration between China, Europe, and other Global South nations looking for an alternative to US-led AI leadership.
For AI businesses, this means watching geopolitical shifts carefully, as AI partnerships and regulatory alignments will likely determine which companies gain access to certain markets, funding sources, and cross-border collaborations.
US and UK AI Firms May Gain a Competitive Edge—For Now
By not signing the declaration, the US and UK have positioned themselves as pro-innovation, low-regulation AI hubs. This could encourage greater investment in AI startups, faster model deployment, and fewer bureaucratic slowdowns, making these markets attractive to businesses that prioritize agility over compliance stability.
However, this comes with risks. If US and UK AI models are seen as less trustworthy or more prone to bias and misinformation, companies could face reputational damage and stricter adoption hurdles in international markets.
Additionally, if future AI-related trade restrictions emerge, businesses in these countries might struggle to export their AI solutions to regulated regions like the EU.
What’s Next? A Global AI Policy Tug-of-War
The Global AI Declaration has set the stage for an international debate over how much regulation is necessary to balance innovation and safety. Businesses that depend on AI-driven products and services must prepare for a multi-speed regulatory landscape, where:
- European and Asian markets push for stricter compliance and AI governance.
- The US and UK prioritize innovation-first AI policies, potentially making their models faster-moving but less globally acceptable.
- China strategically aligns itself with global AI rules, shaping international AI governance in its favor.
For AI businesses, this means building flexible AI models that can adapt to different legal environments while keeping an eye on emerging AI trade policies, ethical expectations, and sustainability regulations. The companies that succeed will be those that balance regulatory compliance with innovation speed, navigating the world’s increasingly complex AI policy landscape.
How the Declaration Can Impact the Future of AI
As policymakers and business leaders debate the future of AI, the challenge remains: how to reap the economic benefits of innovation while mitigating its risks.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen highlighted this balancing act, stressing that Europe’s AI approach must emphasize innovation, collaboration, and open-source technology.
“This summit is focused on action, and that is exactly what we need right now,” von der Leyen said.
While the UK and US have distanced themselves from the Paris AI agreement, the global debate on AI governance, ethical use, and economic impact is far from settled.
Julie Gabriel wears many hats—founder of Eyre.ai, product marketing veteran, and, most importantly, mom of two. At Eyre.ai, she’s on a mission to make communication smarter and more seamless with AI-powered tools that actually work for people (and not the other way around). With over 20 years in product marketing, Julie knows how to build solutions that not only solve problems but also resonate with users. Balancing the chaos of entrepreneurship and family life is her superpower—and she wouldn’t have it any other way.
- Julie Gabrielhttps://eyre.ai/author/eyre_admin/
- Julie Gabrielhttps://eyre.ai/author/eyre_admin/
- Julie Gabrielhttps://eyre.ai/author/eyre_admin/
- Julie Gabrielhttps://eyre.ai/author/eyre_admin/
