World leaders and top tech executives are gathering in Paris on February 10 to discuss the future of artificial intelligence, balancing the need for innovation with concerns over excessive regulation. Unlike previous AI summits in the UK and South Korea, where the focus was on risks, this meeting reflects a shift in attitudes, with growing resistance to strict oversight that could hinder technological progress.

The global approach to AI regulation is diverging. While the EU has introduced the world's first comprehensive AI Act, there is mounting pressure—especially from tech companies and leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron—to apply the rules with flexibility. Macron warned against both extremes: having no regulations at all or imposing too many, which could stifle growth. Meanwhile, in the US, President Donald Trump is rolling back previous AI policies to strengthen America's competitive edge, influencing how European lawmakers approach the issue.

China has also made a bold move in the AI race, with DeepSeek launching an advanced human-like reasoning system, pushing global competitors to accelerate their efforts. Trump's decision not to send the US AI Safety Institute to Paris raises concerns among those advocating for international cooperation on AI governance.

Among the key political figures attending are US Vice President JD Vance, China’s Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Macron is set to meet Guoqing on Monday and Vance on Tuesday, with the main summit session taking place on February 11.

Leading industry figures, including Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, will also be present, engaging in discussions and an exclusive dinner with political leaders. Google’s Senior VP James Manyika highlighted that AI’s opportunities are now more clearly in focus.

Beyond regulation, the summit will also address AI’s massive energy consumption, its role in the developing world, and the environmental impact of data centers. France, in particular, is looking to position itself as a leader in AI, especially in open-source systems and sustainable data infrastructure. Ahead of the summit, France secured a major AI data center deal with the United Arab Emirates, worth up to $50 billion.As the AI race intensifies, European players are stepping up, demonstrating that they can compete at the highest level with cutting-edge technology.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.