While Europeans want AI governance to be fair and secure, the Vice President said that innovators need to be able to take the risks they need to develop technology.
Paris — Vice President JD Vance made his international debut this week at the High Stakes Artificial Intelligence Summit in Paris, making his first appearance on the world stage as VP.
The event, co-hosted by France and India, brought together world leaders, top technology executives and policymakers to build a unified framework for AI governance. However, the summit also exposed the deep philosophical disparities between the US and the European Union’s approach to AI regulation.
For some European policymakers, AI governance is “fair” and requires integration of considerations such as climate and gender policy, a regulatory approach. Washington emphasizes freedom of speech and market-driven development and advocates an innovation-first approach.
Speaking from the historic Grand Palais, Vance revealed where the United States stands.
“I’m not here to talk about AI safety,” he said. “I’m here to talk about AI opportunities.”
Vance has assembled AI not as an impending threat, but as a technological revolution.
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“We are faced with the extraordinary prospects of a new industrial revolution, which is equivalent to the invention of steam engines or Bessemer steel. However, overregulation takes the risks needed for innovators to advance the ball. If it prevents it, it will never pass.”
He directly aimed at the EU Digital Services Act (DSA), a law that imposes strict surveillance on online content, particularly in regards to what EU regulators classify as “misinformation.” Numbers such as Elon Musk have spoken out against the DSA, accusing Brussels of restraining freedom of speech. Reflecting this sentiment, Vance warned of the government’s creeping control over digital discourse.
“Preventing predators from preying on children on the Internet is one thing,” he said. “It’s completely different to prevent adult men and women from accessing the opinion that the government thinks it’s misinformation.”
Looking at global competition, Vance issued a warning about AI collaboration with China, but he did not explicitly name the country.
“Parting with them means taking your nation to an authoritarian master who is trying to infiltrate, dig, dig, and seize information infrastructure,” he said.
Vance also paid tribute to the longtime Franco-American Alliance. During Les’ visit, he held the sword of Marquis de Lafayette, a French hero of the American Revolution. Drawing historical similarities, he warned against voluntary technical constraints.
“If you choose the wrong approach with AI, if you choose to hold yourself back from fear, it’s not just about changing your GDP or stock market. It will change the very future of the project Lafayette and American Founders have tried to create. .”
Vance’s stance made him confront with French President Emmanuel Macron.
“We need these rules to help AI move forward,” Macron said.
Later that day, the French president expanded AI’s EU vision.
“We want more innovation in France and Europe. We want to accelerate, but we want to support the model of society that we believe in. Gender issues.”
The US and the UK have specifically declined to sign the Paris Summit Declaration on “Comprehensive and Sustainable” AI, supported by 60 countries, including France, China, India, Japan, Australia and Canada.
At the summit, Michiel Schaefer, chairman of the Council of Council of European Innovation (EIC), the EU body that provides policy information on innovation to the European Commission, opposed Vance’s position.
Schaefer said there was a philosophical rift between the US and the EU’s approach to AI during the Epoch era.
“For example, in the manufacture of aircraft components, achieving a very low error rate (0.0001%) is important. The American approach is high at first, with the hopes of rapid development and repetitive improvements. Allows error margins, which is possible through a flexible legal framework that encourages free experiments.
“In contrast, Europe imposes strict regulations, and in many cases it requires compliance with strict standards, such as a maximum error rate of 0.1%, before granting market access. In this landscape, plays a critical role.”
Regarding the DSA, Schaefer rejected the allegation that it amounted to censorship.
“DSA is not equivalent to censorship, unless companies cannot explain both how the algorithm works and whether it contains bias. Furthermore, companies that manage information networks are incorrect. We must be responsible for preventing, reducing or limiting the spread of information.”
He also highlights the importance of information accuracy in healthcare and suggests the controversy surrounding Covid-19.
After giving a speech, Vance left Grand Palais before his counterparts provided their answers. The Vice President then proceeded to Elise Palace and held a breakfast meeting with Macron. Their arguments ranged from trade, AI development and wars in Ukraine, according to a White House statement.
On Wednesday, Vance shared a message of diplomatic goodwill in X. America has a beautiful history of friendship with France. We look forward to strengthening our national ties. ”
Later that day, Vance also met with EU Commission Chairman Ursula von der Reyen. The White House explained that their discussions focused on resolutions in global conflict, including cooperation on trade, security issues and efforts to “stop the Ukrainian genocide.”
The European Commission reported that von der Leyen “emphas emphasized the need for continued unity in providing unwavering support for Ukraine.” This reflects another known difference in policy as Vance is critical of further US support for Ukraine.
Meanwhile, China’s Deputy Prime Minister Zhang Guoqing also attended the summit and held discussions with Macron on February 10th on the global governance of AI.
As his last major involvement at the summit, JD Vance met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A White House statement said, “We enjoyed coffee together and discussed topics of mutual interest, including how the US can help India diversify its energy sources through investment in clean and reliable US nuclear technology.” He said.
After the summit, Vance will be attending the Munich Security Conference in Germany later this week. A spokesperson for the US Embassy in Paris said during the Epoch era, “I respect the praise that the US Embassy in Paris was praised for choosing France on its first official visit abroad.
