Lawfare Daily: Alexandra Reeve Givens, Courtney Lang, and Nema Milaninia on the Paris AI Summit and the Pivot to AI Security
Feb 25, 2025
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Alexandra Reeve Givens, CEO of the Center for Democracy & Technology, Courtney Lang, AI policy expert at ITI, and Nema Milaninia, AI legal specialist at King & Spalding, dive into the pivotal Paris AI Summit. They discuss the significant shift from AI safety to AI security and the implications for global governance. The conversation highlights the challenges raised by the non-signatory status of the UK, the abstention from key declarations by the US and UK, and the need for robust frameworks amidst escalating discussions on AI regulation and ethical considerations.
The Paris AI Action Summit signifies a crucial shift from prioritizing AI safety toward a broader engagement with AI security and governance.
The absence of the UK and US from signing the summit's declaration highlights ongoing tensions in global AI regulatory clarity and responsibilities.
The increasing involvement of Global South countries in AI governance discussions emphasizes the need for diverse perspectives in shaping responsible AI practices.
Deep dives
Significance of the Paris AI Action Summit
The Paris AI Action Summit marks a pivotal moment in global discussions about AI governance, reflecting a shift in focus from AI safety to a broader conversation about AI security. This transition is underscored by the participation of various nations, including notable absences from the UK and US, which signifies a broader change in how countries view their obligations and responsibilities in regulating AI technologies. The summit emphasized the need for a common framework that addresses the inherent risks while also promoting innovation, framing discussions within the context of both opportunity and action. Experts noted that the outcomes of this summit could influence not just national policies, but also the way international cooperation on AI is developed moving forward.
Evolution of International AI Summits
Prior AI summits, such as those held in Bletchley Park and South Korea, primarily centered on AI safety and risk management, highlighting the potential dangers posed by frontier AI systems. The discussions in these earlier gatherings culminated in declarations and commitments emphasizing responsible AI development and safety mechanisms. In contrast, the Paris summit opened the floor to a broader dialogue, introducing themes of innovation and opportunity in AI, which may reflect a significant ideological pivot among international stakeholders. This evolving dialogue represents a crucial step toward integrating diverse perspectives on AI governance while balancing safety and the promising potential of AI technologies.
Tensions in AI Governance Between the US and EU
The divergence in approaches between the US and EU regarding AI regulation has become increasingly conspicuous, with the UK and US refraining from signing the Paris summit's declaration due to concerns about global AI governance clarity. The UK cited the lack of robust guidance on national security issues related to frontier AI models, while the new US administration is still formulating its AI policy direction. This tension indicates an ongoing struggle to reconcile the drive for innovation with the need for regulatory frameworks that ensure responsible AI use. As both jurisdictions grapple with these challenges, the dynamics among them will likely shape future discussions on international AI governance.
Emergence of Global South in AI Governance
The Paris summit witnessed a notable presence from countries in the Global South, demonstrating a shifting landscape in AI governance discussions that previously revolved around the US and EU. India's role as co-chair of the next AI summit indicates a potential shift towards more inclusive global dialogue, emphasizing the importance of diverse perspectives in shaping AI's future. This emerging involvement highlights the significance of recognizing the voices of developing nations in establishing responsible AI practices and governance frameworks that cater to a wider array of stakeholders. Attention will now turn to how these new entrants will influence the ongoing global conversation on AI and its implications.
Continued Importance of AI Safety and Accountability
The discussions at the Paris summit reaffirmed that safety and accountability in AI development must remain a priority, even as the focus shifts towards innovation and opportunities. Notably, the launch of initiatives such as the International Association for Safe and Ethical AI reflects a concerted effort to establish a framework for responsible AI deployment. Advocates for transparency and accountability in AI express concern that a move away from safety discussions could undermine existing efforts to ensure that AI technologies serve the public interest. As stakeholders engage in these critical conversations, the groundwork laid by the summit may inform future governance structures aimed at reconciling the imperatives of innovation with the necessity of safety.
Alexandra Reeve Givens, CEO of the Center for Democracy & Technology; Courtney Lang, Vice President of Policy for Trust, Data, and Technology at ITI and a Non-Resident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council GeoTech Center; and Nema Milaninia, a partner on the Special Matters & Government Investigations team at King & Spalding, join Kevin Frazier, Contributing Editor at Lawfare and Adjunct Professor at Delaware Law, to discuss the Paris AI Action Summit and whether it marks a formal pivot away from AI safety to AI security and, if so, what an embrace of AI security means for domestic and international AI governance.
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