Paris AI Action Summit and Global Technology Governance Framework
Source:The Hindu ↗
Why It Matters
AI governance is one of the most critical emerging challenges for global policymakers. The outcomes of summits like Paris directly impact how AI will be regulated, who controls the technology, and how its benefits and risks (including environmental impact and economic disruption) are distributed globally, which is highly relevant for UPSC GS2 (IR) and GS3 (S&T).
Summary
The AI Action Summit in Paris marked a significant, albeit fractured, effort to coordinate global Artificial Intelligence governance. Co-chaired by India, the summit focused heavily on making AI inclusive and sustainable, ensuring developing nations have access to the technology while mitigating its vast energy consumption. However, the refusal of major AI powers like the US and UK to sign the principal declaration on inclusive and sustainable AI exposed deep international rifts regarding regulation, copyright, and innovation priorities. The summit emphasized the ongoing challenge of crafting a unified regulatory framework that balances rapid technological growth with safety and equity.
Key Points
- The AI Action Summit held in Paris (February 2025) aimed to establish a global governance framework for Artificial Intelligence, building on the groundwork laid at the Bletchley Park (2023) and Seoul (2024) summits.
- Co-chaired by India, the summit underscored the push for 'inclusive and sustainable AI', focusing on equitable access for the Global South and addressing the significant environmental and energy footprint of AI infrastructure.
- The event highlighted growing geopolitical and regulatory divides, notably marked by the refusal of the US and UK to sign the final declaration on inclusive and sustainable AI, reflecting diverging priorities between innovation and stringent regulation.
- Key discussions also revolved around balancing technological advancement with safety, protecting intellectual property rights from AI scraping, and preventing the monopolization of foundational AI models.
Important Terms
Bletchley Declaration
The world’s first international agreement (2023) on AI safety, signed by 28 nations. It established a shared understanding of risks posed by advanced models and the need for global scientific cooperation.
UPSC context
GS Paper III (Science & Tech); essential for understanding the shift from innovation-only to risk-based global AI governance and safety standards.
Paris Declaration on AI
Formally the 'Statement on Inclusive and Sustainable AI' (2025), signed by 60+ nations. It prioritizes AI accessibility for developing nations and environmental sustainability, though notable for being unsigned by the US and UK.
UPSC context
GS Paper II & III; highlights the North-South digital divide and India’s co-chair role in shaping inclusive technology frameworks for the Global South.
Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI)
A multi-stakeholder initiative of 29 members (including India) hosted by the OECD. It aims to bridge the gap between AI theory and practice through responsible, human-centric development aligned with democratic values.
UPSC context
GS Paper II & III; a critical international platform where India has held the presidency (2022-2024), championing inclusive AI development.
AI Action Summit
A series of high-level global summits (UK, South Korea, France) designed to coordinate international AI policy. The 2025 Paris edition focused on innovation, labor impacts, and sustainable infrastructure.
UPSC context
GS Paper II (International Relations); represents the primary multilateral forum for AI diplomacy and the ongoing effort to create a unified regulatory framework.
Frontier AI
Highly capable foundation generative AI models that could possess dangerous capabilities, posing severe risks to public safety, cybersecurity, and societal stability, as identified in international safety summits.
UPSC context
GS Paper III (Science & Tech); tests knowledge of technical categories in AI regulation and the specific focus of international safety-testing protocols.
European Union (EU)
A 27-member political-economic union and a global leader in technology regulation. Its landmark AI Act (2024) is the world's first comprehensive, risk-based legislative framework for artificial intelligence.
UPSC context
GS Paper II; its regulatory standards often create the 'Brussels Effect,' influencing global digital policy and human rights-based technology governance.
Prelims Trap
"The Paris Declaration on AI was unanimously adopted by all participating global tech powers."
The US and UK conspicuously refused to sign the Paris declaration on inclusive and sustainable AI, prioritizing innovation over regulation.
Static Concepts Connected
How does India's Copyright Act (1957) handle AI and data scraping?
- Fair Dealing exception: Section 52 allows 'fair dealing' for research, but commercial AI web scraping for training foundational models exists in a highly contested legal gray area.
- Human Authorship Requirement: Indian jurisprudence requires human authorship for copyright. AI-generated works without human intellectual input currently cannot claim copyright protection.
What constitutes India's Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) model being pushed for AI?
- Three Core Pillars: DPI operates on three foundational layers: Identity (Aadhaar), Payments (UPI), and Data Exchange (Data Empowerment and Protection Architecture).
- Open Source Architecture: It uses open APIs to ensure interoperability and prevent monopolies, a model India is advocating globally to democratize access to AI resources.
Cross-Topic Patterns
Global Commons vs Tech Nationalism
The US/UK refusal to sign the Paris declaration mirrors the historical developed vs. developing divides in climate negotiations (like CBDR), where early movers resist regulations that curb their strategic advantage.
AI's Threat to Net-Zero Climate Targets
AI data centers are projected to consume 10% of global electricity by 2030, putting S&T advancements directly at odds with global Net-Zero targets and domestic grid transitions.
Expect a 2026 prelims pairing question matching AI summits (Bletchley, Seoul, Paris) with their core themes/declarations.
Linked PYQs · 2
Linked PYQs · 2
- 2025PrelimsGS1
Consider the following statements regarding AI Action Summit held in Grand Palais, Paris in February 2025 : I. Co-chaired with India, the event builds on the advances made at the Bletchley Park Summit held in 2023 and the Seoul Summit held in 2024. II. Along with other countries, US and UK also signed the declaration on inclusive and sustainable AI. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 2023MainsGS3
Introduce the concept of Artificial Intelligence (AI). How does Al help clinical diagnosis? Do you perceive any threat to privacy of the individual in the use of Al in healthcare?
