At the AI Action Summit in Paris, founding members introduced the Public Interest AI Platform and Incubator aimed at bridging the gap between public and private efforts to reduce digital divides. A joint statement titled Inclusive and Sustainable Artificial Intelligence for People and the Planet was released on February 11, calling for more accessible AI while ensuring its safe and responsible deployment.
The initiative is designed to support projects that focus on public interest AI, emphasizing transparency, openness, and collaboration across sectors. Signed by 60 organizations, the statement highlighted that the platform would provide ongoing support for digital public goods, including technical assistance, capacity building, and fostering collaboration in areas like data, model development, audit, and financing. The goal is to co-create a trustworthy AI ecosystem that serves the interests of all people.
The Summit also focused on AI’s impact on energy, the job market, governance, and society. A key discussion was AI’s energy impact. The statement noted that the summit was the first to discuss AI and energy in a multi-stakeholder format, leading to knowledge-sharing that could promote sustainable AI systems, from hardware and infrastructure to models. This also involved creating an energy-friendly AI observatory with the International Energy Agency, supporting AI innovations that prioritize sustainability.
On the future of the workforce, the summit acknowledged the need for further understanding of AI’s impact on jobs. Discussions were held on developing observatories to anticipate AI’s effects on workplaces and training, and how AI can enhance productivity, skills development, and social dialogue in the labor market.
Governance also emerged as a central theme. The summit stressed the importance of inclusive dialogues on AI governance, underlining safety, sustainable development, innovation, and respect for human rights, gender equality, and intellectual property. The statement also reflected on ongoing international discussions about AI governance in global forums.
Looking forward, the summit outlined key milestones in the AI journey, such as the Kigali Summit, the Third Global Forum on the Ethics of AI in Thailand, the 2025 World AI Conference, and the AI for Good Global Summit 2025. These events will continue to push forward the commitment to a sustainable and inclusive AI future.
According to the Elysee Palace, 58 countries signed the joint statement, including major nations like Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, India, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, and the United States, along with the European Union and African Union Commission.
The summit established several priorities, including making AI more accessible, ethical, and sustainable, and ensuring international cooperation in governance. The statement outlined key goals such as:
- Reducing digital divides by promoting AI accessibility.
- Ensuring AI is open, inclusive, transparent, ethical, safe, and trustworthy.
- Fostering innovation while avoiding market concentration.
- Shaping the future of work through AI deployment that encourages sustainable growth.
- Reinforcing international cooperation for coordinated governance.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who co-chaired the AI Action Summit with French President Emmanuel Macron on February 10-12, emphasized the importance of these global efforts during his visit to France.