As the world turns its gaze to Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron kicks off a significant technology summit on 10 February 2024. With political leaders and tech titans gathered, the event seeks to address the explosive growth of artificial intelligence (AI) while highlighting France’s ambition in this arena.
A New Approach to Showcasing Leadership
In an unexpected twist, Macron has embraced artificial intelligence in a unique way—by sharing AI-generated videos featuring himself in various entertaining scenarios. Whether he’s dancing to the 1980s hit *Voyage Voyage* or portraying a French secret agent in a comedic caper, these videos not only capture attention but also reflect his modern approach to leadership.
The AI Power Players Gather
The summit is set to see high-profile attendees, including:
- US Vice President JD Vance
- Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing
- Google CEO Sundar Pichai
- OpenAI CEO Sam Altman
Pichai emphasised the monumental shift AI represents, stating, “This could be the biggest of our lifetimes,” as he underscored the opportunity to democratise access to new technologies.
French Investment in AI
Macron has positioned France as a competitive player in the AI race, committing an eye-watering 109 billion euros (approximately US$113 billion) to develop AI technologies in the coming years. He also pointed to France’s nuclear plants as a clean and scalable energy source crucial for AI’s extensive computing needs.
Concerns About AI Risks
However, not everyone is on board with Macron’s enthusiastic rhetoric. Critics have highlighted that a leaked draft of the summit’s final communique fails to address potential risks associated with AI. Max Tegmark, head of the Future of Life Institute, raised alarms about the omission, suggesting this could lead to disastrous outcomes.
A Diverging Path in International Agreements
As the summit unfolds, it’s uncertain what agreements may emerge. Media reports indicate reluctance from both the UK and the US to endorse the current draft statement. Given the diverse interests of participating nations like India and China, forging a common approach to sustainable and safe AI development seems progressively challenging.
The outcome of these discussions may set the tone for future international collaborations and governance surrounding artificial intelligence, with attention now on how Macron’s summit will influence the global narrative.