An international summit in Paris has convened to discuss the significant effects of artificial intelligence on employment, attracting over a thousand participants, including high-profile leaders. The event emphasizes proactive measures for workforce adaptation amid AI advancements. A coalition has been formed to position Europe as a leader in AI, with substantial investments announced to enhance data infrastructure and promote public research. Key discussions will focus on establishing a global governance framework for AI technology.
International Summit in Paris Tackles AI’s Impact on Employment
The highly anticipated international summit on artificial intelligence kicked off in Paris, drawing over a thousand participants to explore the profound effects of AI on the workforce. The event commenced on Monday morning, emphasizing the urgent need to address the implications of this transformative technology.
Gilbert F. Houngbo, the Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO), stated, “AI will undoubtedly influence the job market.” He highlighted that the conversation surrounding AI’s impact is not new, urging for proactive measures to equip workers for the forthcoming changes.
Participants gathered under the iconic dome of the Grand Palais, adorned with flags from various nations, to engage in discussions. This summit is expected to host nearly 1,500 attendees, including prominent figures such as U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
The summit, co-chaired by India, was inaugurated by Anne Bouverot, the French presidency’s special envoy, alongside renowned computer scientist Fei-Fei Li. “We must consider whether we can develop AI that serves the common good,” she emphasized.
Key industry leaders, including Sam Altman from OpenAI, Sundar Pichai of Google, and Dario Amodei from Anthropic, will focus on establishing a global governance framework to mitigate potential excesses of AI technology. However, X CEO Elon Musk and Liang Wenfeng, the founder of the emerging startup DeepSeek, will not be in attendance.
In a proactive move, nine nations, including France, announced the launch of the “Current AI” initiative aimed at promoting a “general interest AI.” With an initial funding of $400 million, this project seeks to enhance access to both private and public databases in vital sectors like health and education, while also fostering a more transparent and secure AI landscape.
Europe’s Ambition to Lead in AI Development
The summit also serves as a platform for France to assert its ambitions in the global AI arena, where American and Chinese companies have been dominant. On Monday, more than 60 major corporations unveiled a coalition aimed at establishing Europe as a “global leader” in AI and significantly streamlining the regulatory landscape.
This coalition, named the “EU AI Champions Initiative,” is set to be presented to Emmanuel Macron and 15 other European leaders, along with Ursula von der Leyen, as its advocates aim to accelerate Europe’s position in the AI sector. “We want to move much faster and with greater strength,” Macron declared, announcing a planned investment of €109 billion from private companies in AI initiatives in France over the coming years.
While further details will emerge throughout the summit, this investment encompasses several previously announced projects, including a massive data center backed by the United Arab Emirates, estimated to cost between €30 to 50 billion, and €20 billion from Canadian fund Brookfield for new data centers in France.
These investments underscore the critical need for substantial infrastructure that supports the data storage and computing power essential for AI operations. Sylvain Duranton, a global director at BCG, emphasized the necessity of significant investments not only in model training but also in developing talent, research centers, and infrastructure.
Additionally, Ursula von der Leyen is expected to announce the establishment of a dozen supercomputers dedicated to public research or accessible for European startups. These powerful machines are vital for training and deploying AI models effectively.
On Tuesday, a plenary session will convene heads of state from approximately one hundred countries, while a “Business Day” will provide a networking opportunity for tech companies attending the summit in Paris.