The week of February 10 marked the AI Action Summit, the most significant artificial intelligence event in the West, held in Paris. Representing TEDIC, our Executive Director, Maricarmen Sequera, participated alongside more than 1,000 attendees at the Grand Palais. Among them were heads of state and government, leaders of international organizations, representatives of civil society, the private sector, and academia.
Additionally, Pope Francis sent a message to President Macron on the occasion of the summit, emphasizing the importance of artificial intelligence in today’s society.
Our Executive Director highlighted that this was one of the most relevant events she has participated in, not only because of the magnitude of the agenda but also due to the unprecedented presence of high-level leaders. Among the prominent figures were French President Emmanuel Macron, U.S. Vice President JD Vance, in his first official trip abroad since taking office, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing, and Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.
The summit also brought together key figures from the tech industry, including Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google, and Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, as well as senior representatives from Microsoft, who convened to discuss the future of AI and its global impact.
The summit concluded with a non-binding declaration, the result of a multilateral negotiation among participating countries. However, the drafting process of this document was criticized for its lack of prior consultation with stakeholders such as civil society and academia, failing to incorporate the United Nations’ multistakeholder methodologies.
Although on February 10, major powers like China, Canada, Germany, France, and Japan signed the declaration, several Latin American and Caribbean countries also joined, including Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, and Uruguay. The following day, Argentina, Barbados, Guatemala, Haiti, Jamaica, and Panama signed as well. However, Paraguay was notably absent from this crucial discussion process.
The AI Action Summit’s final declaration was seen as insufficient. Despite the importance of the event, the document was weak and lacked concrete provisions to advance an effective AI regulation framework that prioritizes human rights governance. While the declaration stressed the need to promote AI access to bridge digital gaps and emphasized the importance of ethical, inclusive, and transparent development within global frameworks, the measures outlined were vague and lacked enforceability.
The document also highlighted AI’s potential to enhance the future of work and foster sustainable growth, with a commitment to preventing monopolistic concentration. However, it failed to reflect a real commitment to the Global South, despite its key role in shaping a more inclusive and equitable AI future. In this context, it was no surprise that the declaration had a symbolic rather than practical approach.
Although the summit saw broad international representation, the United States and the United Kingdom notably did not support the final declaration, which advocated for inclusive and sustainable AI. The U.S. stance was unsurprising, as “inclusive and sustainable AI” has been excluded from the priorities of the Trump administration. This highlights the divergent priorities among international actors and the tensions between global governance approaches and national interests.
Tensions at the Summit
Instead of leveraging the opportunity to promote global cooperation, leaders focused on national interests and the commercial expansion of AI. The EU AI Act was presented as a “burden”, reinforcing a narrative that pits regulation against innovation, while AI safety took a backseat. Additionally, the discussions failed to meaningfully address the risks and harms associated with AI.
The European Union also backtracked by withdrawing the AI Liability Directive, creating further uncertainty about the effective implementation of the EU AI Act. Compliance confusion is real, and it will be interesting to see how the EU navigates this challenge, particularly after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated her intention to “facilitate” its implementation.
The influence of Trump’s recent administration shift was palpable throughout the summit’s agenda. Countries like France, the EU, and the United States adopted a competitive stance in the AI arms race, prioritizing market dominance and accelerated development over responsible governance, accountability, and public trust. For instance, Ursula von der Leyen announced €200 billion in public funding for digital infrastructure related to AI across the EU. Meanwhile, U.S. Vice President JD Vance’s declaration that AI’s future will be “won by building” rather than “worrying about safety” reflects a dangerous disregard for AI-related risks. This rhetoric echoes that of President Macron, who also advocated for a “simplified” regulatory approach in Europe while opposing the U.S. push for safety-centered dialogues.
The summit made it clear that the most influential countries will continue pursuing AI governance on separate tracks, potentially deepening the fragmentation of international regulatory frameworks and making it harder for Latin America to establish a unified position or collaborate on a shared AI agenda. Meanwhile, human rights and public policy panels were shallow and lacked depth. There was no meaningful space to discuss AI’s social and ethical implications, and while some panels touched on these topics, they were few, low-profile, and dominated by major tech corporations.
A report by Access Now reflected a similar perspective:
We regret that the summit did not adequately focus on human rights or the voices of those already harmed by AI systems and the industry. Instead, the emphasis was on rapid innovation, without a meaningful space to ensure a comprehensive understanding of AI-related risks or how safeguards could be firmly anchored in international human rights law.
Global Majority inclusion: progress, but not enough
The African Union had a notable presence at the summit, while Latin America was largely absent. Although countries like Chile, Brazil, and Costa Rica attended, their impact on the agenda was minimal. Additionally, there was a noticeable lack of civil society organizations, particularly from the Global Majority, and especially from Latin America.
This concern was also raised by Derechos Digitales, which stated:
The discussion on inclusive and sustainable AI was marked by the limited participation of the Global South, with most representatives coming from Europe and North America. Despite the presence of some Latin American countries like Chile, Brazil, and Costa Rica, regulatory and governmental spaces were dominated by powerful tech actors, particularly from the private sector and academia. This exclusion reinforces power asymmetries and perpetuates a model where Global North priorities dictate AI’s future.
Derechos Digitales also emphasized that for Latin America to have a stronger voice in AI governance, it is crucial to strengthen norms that reflect regional interests and challenge the current decision-making model. A common regional agenda involving governments, civil society, and academia would enable greater influence in these forums. Without a clear strategy, Latin America risks being left behind or used as an AI testing ground.
AI has become a deeply political issue, and the U.S. governance stance is clear. The UK’s AI Safety Institute name change reflects a shift towards prioritizing national security over ethical concerns such as bias and freedom of expression. While traditional actors dominate the headlines, it is essential not to lose sight of the Global Majority.
More than 100 civil society organizations worldwide, including TEDIC, have signed a declaration outlining five key demands for a fairer and more responsible AI future.
The five key demands outlined in the declaration:
Transparency: Information on the social and environmental implications of proposed AI infrastructures must be meaningful and accessible to the public before construction or expansion.
Eliminate Fossil Fuels: The AI industry must urgently phase out fossil fuels across its entire supply chain.
Computing Within Limits: AI infrastructure must urgently be placed within planetary boundaries.
Responsible Supply Chains: AI companies with substantial market share and economic and political influence bear the primary responsibility for ensuring a responsible supply chain.
Equitable Participation: Public participation in decisions about how computing is used and under what conditions is crucial. Climate and environmental activism must not be criminalized.
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