The Action Summit on Artificial Intelligence opened in Paris on February 10-11, 2025, bringing together world leaders, experts, and innovators to shape the future of AI development.
We were honored to show our interactive experience "Portal" at the AI Action Summit 2025 happening in the @GrandPalaisRmn Paris on February 10.
— Obvious (@obv_ious) February 12, 2025
In the main stage, leaders of the AI world had the chance to prompt live, resulting in an endless video artwork displayed on the huge… pic.twitter.com/52DmxfSC4j
A Global Meeting in the Heart of France
The historic Grand Palais, a masterpiece of Parisian architecture, hosted key AI stakeholders from around the world for two days. The event, co-chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aimed to establish a global dialogue on AI challenges and opportunities.
High-Profile Attendance
Several influential tech leaders confirmed their presence, including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, xAI, Tesla, and SpaceX co-founder Elon Musk, and former U.S. President Donald Trump, who introduced the Stargate project.
Tense Geopolitical Context
The summit took place amid an intensifying global AI race. The United States recently announced the ambitious Stargate initiative with a $500 billion budget, while China countered with DeepSeek, which achieved a breakthrough by unveiling an AI system matching ChatGPT’s performance at significantly lower costs.
“We want this summit to foster a global conversation about artificial intelligence, not just a dialogue between the United States and China,” stated the Élysée Palace.
Key Summit Objectives
Ethics and Regulation
The summit primarily focused on establishing ethical guidelines for AI development and implementation, addressing:
- AI system safety
- Employment impact
- International regulatory frameworks
These discussions aimed to prevent potential misuse, including mass surveillance and algorithmic bias.
Investment and Infrastructure
The summit featured major investment announcements, including €109 billion in private investments for French technological infrastructure, particularly data centers. Additionally, an agreement with the UAE was signed to build an AI campus worth €30-50 billion, potentially becoming Europe’s largest such facility.
Innovation and Competitiveness
Participants explored strategies to:
- Advance research and development
- Foster public-private collaboration
- Support innovative startups and SMEs
Global Agreement Reached
The summit concluded with a significant agreement signed by 61 nations, including China, France, and India. Key points include:
- Commitment to “open,” “inclusive,” and “ethical” AI development
- Enhanced coordination of AI governance through global dialogue
- Prevention of market concentration to ensure AI accessibility
- Establishment of scientific foundations for sustainable AI
- Development of environmentally conscious AI systems
Notably, the United States and the United Kingdom were not among the initial signatories at the summit’s conclusion.
Economic Impact and Future Prospects
The summit positions Paris as a rising European AI hub, with expected benefits including:
- Enhanced international technological cooperation
- Significant economic opportunities for the Paris region
- Growth acceleration for French AI startups
- Establishment of new global ethical standards
- Strengthened international collaboration mechanisms
Key Players at the Summit
Major participants included:
- Sam Altman (OpenAI) – Generative AI
- Elon Musk (xAI/Tesla/SpaceX) – Applied AI
- Arthur Mensch (Mistral AI) – Language Models
- DeepSeek representatives – Cost-effective AI
- Narendra Modi (NITI Aayog) – National AI Strategy
Challenges Ahead
The summit addressed several crucial challenges:
- Balancing innovation with data protection
- Bridging technological gaps
- Ensuring equitable AI access and benefits
- Developing sustainable and environmentally conscious AI systems
The Paris AI Summit represents a pivotal moment in global AI governance, highlighting France’s ambition to play a central role in shaping ethical and humanistic approaches to AI development while fostering international cooperation and innovation.