US Vice President JD Vance Advocates for American Dominance in AI Development and Chip Manufacturing

US VP JD Vance says Trump admin will ensure AI systems are designed, built, fabbed in the USA

TL;DR: US Vice President JD Vance emphasized at the AI Action Summit in Paris that the Trump administration is committed to ensuring the most powerful AI systems are developed in the US using American-designed and manufactured chips. This aligns with President Trump's "manufacture in USA" policy, supported by TSMC's investment in Arizona. Additionally, Project Stargate, a $500 billion initiative, aims to position the US as a global leader in AI. US Vice President JD Vance gave a fantastic speech at the AI Action Summit in Paris on Tuesday, where he said the Trump administration "will sure that the most powerful AI systems are built in the US with American design and manufactured chips". President Trump has been steadfast in wanting the USA to benefit from all of its silicon prowess, and now his running mate VP Vance has said the same thing. VP Vance said: "The Trump administration believes AI will have countless revolutionary applications in economic innovation, job creation, national security, healthcare, free expression and beyond. To restrict its development now will not only unfairly benefit incumbents in the space, it would mean paralyzing one of the most promising technologies we have seen in generations". He continued: "To safeguard America's advantage the Trump administration will ensure that the most powerful AI systems are built in the U.S. with American-designed and manufactured chips". "We've also watched as hostile foreign adversaries have weaponized AI software to rewrite history, surveil users and censor speech ... Some authoritarian regimes have stolen and used AI to strengthen their military intelligence and surveillance capabilities to capture foreign data and create propaganda to undermine other nations' national security. I want to be clear, this administration will block such efforts full stop". It has been recently reported that TSMC is planning to boost its investments at its new Arizona production plant, in order to help President Trump and his administration with its "manufacture in USA" policy. President Trump's new tariffs are also seeing Taiwan help companies that want to relocate to the US, assisting them with setting up businesses, supply chains on American soil. President Trump also announced Project Stargate, its new $500 billion investment into being the global leader of AI, all home in the USA.

Vance: AI Chips Will Be Made in the US

The best AI chips will one day be made in America, according to Vice President JD Vance. "To safeguard America's advantage, the Trump administration will ensure that the most powerful AI systems are built in the US with American designed and manufactured chips," he said in a speech on Tuesday at the Paris AI Summit. President Trump has said he plans to tariff foreign-made chips, including those from Taiwan's TSMC, which produces cutting-edge silicon for Nvidia, AMD, Apple, and others. Though it has a production facility in Arizona, TSMC makes most of its processors in Taiwan. As a result, the tariffs risk raising prices for PCs, smartphones, and graphics cards, in addition to enterprise-grade GPUs for AI training, although US chip maker Intel stands to benefits. While Vance didn't mention the tariffs in his speech, he did talk about the US' need to harness AI, despite concerns the technology might disrupt society. Specifically, Vance opposed reining in AI with more rules, which the European Union has done. Instead, he's betting artificial intelligence will unlock productivity gains for human workers rather than take jobs away. "It is not going to replace human beings. It will never replace human beings," he said, later adding: "We need our European friends in particular to look at this frontier with optimism, rather than trepidation. "We believe that excessive regulation of the AI sector could kill a transformative industry just as it's taking off," he added. "And we'll make every effort to encourage pro-AI policies." Vance's other key point was an insistence that the US will dominate the AI industry. "The United States is the leader in AI, and our administration plans to keep it that way," he said. While the White House invites other countries to follow the US on AI, Vance signaled the Trump administration will retaliate against foreign governments that try to regulate US tech companies. "The AI future is not going to be won by hand-wringing about safety, it will be won by building, from reliable power plants to the manufacturing facilities that can produce the chips of the future," he said. Vance also noted the Trump administration is developing an "AI action plan" that'll avoid a "precautionary regulatory regime" while ensuring the technology benefits human workers. Last month, Trump rescinded a slew of executive orders from former President Joe Biden, including one intended to ensure safe, secure, and trustworthy AI. A day later, he announced that OpenAI, Oracle, and Softbank had committed to spending $500 billion for AI data centers.

Trump Administration wants the US to produce the 'most powerful' AI chips

JD Vance took to the stage at the Paris AI Action Summit on Wednesday declaring that, "the United States of America is the leader in AI and our administration plans to keep it that way." "The US possesses all components across the full AI stack, including advanced semiconductor design, frontier algorithms, and, of course, transformational applications," Vance said. "Now the computing power this stack requires is integral to advancing AI technology, and to safeguard America's advantage, the Trump administration will ensure the most powerful AI systems are built in the U.S. with American-designed and manufactured chips." Vance also criticized the European Union's existing AI and tech regulations, especially the Digital Services Act and GDPR, as "onerous international rules" that smother smaller companies in legal costs and stifle free speech because they prevent adults from "accessing an opinion that the government thinks is misinformation." He went on to note that the U.S. legislature is already working to remove its regulations for the industry and invited other countries to follow America's lead on the matter. Recommended Videos "The Trump administration is troubled by reports that some foreign governments are considering tightening the screws on U.S. tech companies with international footprints," Vance said. "Now America cannot and will not accept that." He also discussed the technology's power demands, arguing that these evolving AI systems need reliable electricity supplies and access to high-quality semiconductors, but lamented that many countries are instead choosing to eliminate stable sources of power from their national grids. Ironically, Vance also warned against nations cozying up to authoritarian regimes, claiming that partnerships with such nations would not be profitable in the long-term. "Some of us in this room have learned from experience, partnering with them means chaining your nation to an authoritarian master that seeks to infiltrate, dig in, and seize your information infrastructure," VP JD Vance said. "Should a deal seem too good to be true, just remember the old adage that we learned in Silicon Valley, 'If you aren't paying for the product, you are the product.'"

What to make of JD Vance's speech at the Paris AI summit

Vance's Paris speech shows a brash American exceptionalism for the AI age Vice President JD Vance's speech to world leaders at the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit was by turns warm and conciliatory, and strident to the point of offensiveness. Vance emphasized that AI has the potential to bring significant benefits to the world, and its risks can be effectively managed -- provided that the U.S. and its tech companies take the lead. Vance argued that the U.S. remains the leader when it comes to developing cutting-edge AI models, and suggested that other countries should collaborate with the U.S. on AI rather than competing against it. (Vance also said AI companies shouldn't try to dictate the political tenor of content or dialog their models will accept, citing the Google Gemini model's failed attempt at generating "correct" images that resulted in a Black George Washington and female popes.) "This administration will ensure that AI developed in the United States continues to be the gold standard worldwide," he said. And key to the U.S.'s approach, according to Vance: leaving tech companies to regulate themselves on safety and security issues.

JD Vance champions United States' dominance in artificial intelligence at Paris summit

In his first foreign address since taking office, vice president JD Vance delivered a strong message to European and Asian leaders at a summit in Paris: the United States is determined to lead the global race in artificial intelligence. Vance emphasised that the Trump Administration's aggressive stance on AI means Europe must either adopt American-designed technologies or risk falling behind, particularly as nations like China are poised to challenge the U.S. in this space. While urging Europe to loosen its digital regulations, he made clear that the future of AI would not be shaped by concerns about safety. Instead, he framed the competition as a matter of technological opportunity, warning that those who hesitate risk falling under authoritarian influence. The speech, delivered with vigour, marked a sharp departure from the more cautious rhetoric seen at prior summits, including the AI Safety Summit. Vance's comments were underscored by the broader context of U.S. trade policy, including recent tariffs on foreign steel and a more confrontational approach to European regulations. For now, it remains to be seen whether Europe will adjust its regulatory framework to align more closely with the United States' vision.

Trump administration declares 'most powerful' AI chips will be built in America

"the most powerful AI systems are built in the US with American-designed and manufactured chips." US Vice President JD Vance took to the podium as he gave a keynote on the final day of the Paris AI Action Summit, where he gave several key insights on the Trump administration's strategy on the technology. During his speech, Vance focused on the opportunities that AI brings, and that the White House will continue supporting the technology through its policies. "The United States of America is the leader in AI and our administration plans to keep it that way. The US possesses all components across the full AI stack, including advanced semiconductor design, frontier algorithms, and, of course, transformational applications," said the Vice President. "Now the computing power this stack requires is integral to advancing AI technology, and to safeguard America's advantage, the Trump administration will ensure the most powerful AI systems are built in the US with American-designed and manufactured chips." This announcement is good news for the semiconductor industry, especially as Trump has previously voiced opposition to the CHIPS and Science Act during his campaign. This is in addition to the act currently making its way through the U.S. Congress that would give tax credits to chip designers and manufacturers, helping boost semiconductor innovation within the country. He added that Washington is already working on an AI strategy that will remove overly precautionary regulations while remaining beneficial to the American public. Vance invited other countries to partner with the U.S. and also welcomed them to replicate this policy. But he also criticized the European Union's regulations -- specifically, the Digital Services Act and GDPR -- which he called "onerous international rules." The VP said these are costing smaller firms excessive legal costs and are stifling free speech by preventing an adult from "accessing an opinion that the government thinks is misinformation." He also emphasized AI's need for electricity, saying that it needs high-quality semiconductors and reliable power sources, but that many countries are choosing to de-industrialize while removing stable power sources from their grids. Lastly, he also warned against partnering with hostile authoritarian regimes, saying that even though they deliver cheap technologies right now, long-term partnerships with them will not pay off. While he didn't directly mention China (whose representative was seated close by), Vance called out cheap 5G and CCTV equipment, Chinese exports that are widely used in the U.S. and its allies until they were banned and removed starting in 2019. "Some of us in this room have learned from experience, partnering with them means chaining your nation to an authoritarian master that seeks to infiltrate, dig in, and seize your information infrastructure," VP JD Vance said. "Should a deal seem too good to be true, just remember the old adage that we learned in Silicon Valley, 'If you aren't paying for the product, you are the product.'"

Vance warns EU against AI overregulation at summit in Paris

Paris, France -- Vice President JD Vance, in his first international address, warned European Union countries against overregulation and said the Trump administration wants artificial intelligence to remain free from ideological bias. "The Trump administration is troubled by reports that some foreign governments are considering tightening the screws on U.S. tech companies with international footprints," Vance said while speaking to world leaders and tech executives at the Artificial Intelligence Action summit in Paris, France. "Now, America cannot and will not accept that, and we think it's a terrible mistake -- not just for the United States of America -- but for your own countries." Vance said the U.S. wants to ensure that the internet is a safe place, but suggested the European Union's Digital Services Act had gone too far, enacting "massive regulations" and "policing so-called misinformation." "It is one thing to prevent a predator from preying on a child on the internet, and it is something quite different to prevent a grown man or woman from accessing an opinion that the government thinks is misinformation," Vance said. The Digital Services Act seeks to hold platforms more accountable for protecting European users from harmful or illegal content on their sites and imposes fines on violators. Last July, the EU found that the social media platform X, owned by Department of Government Effficiency head and Trump ally Elon Musk, did not comply with the act's transparency or accountability requirements. Vance told leaders, including European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, that excessive regulation of the AI sector could "kill a transformative industry just as it's taking off" and the Trump administration will make it a priority to promote pro-growth AI policies. "I'd like to see that deregulatory flavor making its way into a lot of the conversations at this conference," Vance said. Vance promoted America-first AI policies during his address, echoing a push by French President Emmanuel Macron for the EU to embrace a deregulatory environment to encourage more AI development on the continent. Macron said Monday that France generates enough clean electric power to build artificial intelligence centers, which require massive amounts of energy. "I have a good friend on the other part of the ocean saying 'drill, baby, drill,'" Macron said, in reference to President Trump and his push for fossil fuel energy. "Here, there is no need to 'drill, baby, drill.' It is just 'plug, baby, plug.'" Though the intent of the summit, which Macron is co-hosting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was to establish standards for more sustainable AI in the public interest, it has been overshadowed by the race between global powers to become the dominant country in the sector. Major American tech CEOs Google's Sundar Pichai and OpenAI's Sam Altman are attending the summit, as well as world leaders, including Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing. Vance said the Trump administration would ensure that the U.S. continues to be the partner of choice for foreign countries and businesses in developing AI. While the vice president did not mention China -- or its new AI company DeepSeek -- he put "hostile foreign adversaries" who have "weaponized A.I. software to rewrite history, surveil users, and censor speech" on notice. "I want to be clear: this administration will block such efforts, full stop," Vance said. "We will safeguard American A.I. and chip technologies from theft and misuse, work with our allies and partners to strengthen and extend these protections and close pathways to advert areas attaining A.I. capabilities that threaten all of our people." He extended the warning to allies as well. "I would also remind our international friends here today that partnering with such regimes, it never pays off in the long term. From CCTV to 5G equipment, we're all familiar with cheap tech in the marketplace that's been heavily subsidized and exported by authoritarian regimes," Mr. Vance said.

Vance warns against 'tightening the screws' on AI in rebuff of Europe

"The United States of America is the leader in AI, and our administration plans to keep it that way," Vance told an international summit in Paris. PARIS -- Vice President JD Vance warned European allies Tuesday that the White House would not accept international regulations on artificial intelligence if they held back U.S. ambitions to be the world's dominant power in the revolutionary new technology. "The United States of America is the leader in AI, and our administration plans to keep it that way," Vance told an international AI summit in Paris. "We need international regulatory regimes that fosters the creation of AI technology rather than strangles it." In his first international speech since taking office, Vance said the U.S. was open to cooperating with other countries to harness AI. But he rejected the kind of tighter technology regulations seen in the European Union. "The Trump administration is troubled by reports that some foreign governments are considering tightening the screws on U.S. tech companies with international footprints. Now America cannot and will not accept that." The Trump administration has made dominance in the field a priority, with the president on Jan. 21 announcing a joint venture to invest billions of dollars in AI infrastructure in the U.S. dubbed Stargate. Vance also said that AI must remain free from what he called "ideological bias" and criticized E.U. efforts to create rules blocking harmful or misleading online content. "We want to ensure the internet is a safe place, but it is one thing to prevent a predator from preying on a child on the internet, and it is something quite different to prevent a grown man or woman from accessing an opinion that the government thinks is misinformation," he said. Signs of the tensions between the U.S. and Europe on how to approach AI regulation emerged hours after Vance's speech. The U.S. refused to join around 60 other countries in signing on to a French-led joint statement calling for an "inclusive and sustainable" approach to AI. The White House did not offer an immediate explanation for why it declined to sign on. The global summit in Paris was attended by Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing and came weeks after the Chinese AI startup DeepSeek rattled markets by announcing it had created a sophisticated model at a fraction of the cost of those made in Silicon Valley. Vance did not explicitly refer to China in his speech but said "authoritarian regimes have stolen and used AI to strengthen their military intelligence and surveillance capabilities." He also warned European states not to partner with authoritarian states on AI development. "Partnering with them means chaining your nation to an authoritarian master that seeks to infiltrate, dig in and seize your information infrastructure," he said. In addition to the former Biden administration, the Trump administration has also pressured European countries to limit their exposure to Huawei, a Chinese telecom firm. Speaking at the summit Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron said his country would simplify its technology rules but added that Europe would need to cooperate with both the U.S. and China. Macron also said France's nuclear power infrastructure made it a desirable location for AI development, because it could power energy-intensive data centers without relying on fossil fuels. "I have a good friend on the other side of the ocean saying 'Drill, baby, drill,'" Macron said, referring to President Donald Trump. "Here, there is no need to drill. It's 'Plug, baby, plug. Electricity is available." Anne Bouverot, Macron's special envoy to the AI summit, told NBC News that the goal of the global gathering was not to begin work on an international framework for regulating AI. "The summit is not to talk about rules and regulations. The summit is to find where are the areas, where there are coalitions of the willing to develop things, for example, common principles or goals for AI," she said. A number of U.S. technology executives attended the conference, including Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Open AI's Sam Altman. Reid Hoffman, the billionaire co-founder of LinkedIn, told NBC News that the U.S. should work closely with allies to make sure that democracies remained ahead of authoritarian nations in the development of AI. "I think it's very important that the Western democracies lead in this ... so partnering with the Europeans, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, the Western democracy approach, I think, is very important. And I think that's an important part of the global order."

JD Vance warns against 'excessive regulation' at Paris AI summit

U.S. Vice President JD Vance on Tuesday warned global leaders and tech industry executives that "excessive regulation" could cripple the rapidly growing artificial intelligence industry in a rebuke to European efforts to curb AI's risks. The speech underscored a widening, three-way rift over AI. The United States, under President Donald Trump, champions a hands-off approach to fuel innovation, while Europe is tightening the reins with strict regulations to ensure safety and accountability. Meanwhile, China is rapidly expanding AI through state-backed tech giants, vying for dominance in the global race. The U.S. was noticeably absent from a joint statement signed by more than 60 nations, pledging to "promote AI accessibility to reduce digital divides" and "ensure AI is open, inclusive, transparent, ethical, safe, secure and trustworthy." The agreement also called for "making AI sustainable for people and the planet" and protecting "human rights, gender equality, linguistic diversity, protection of consumers and of intellectual property rights." In a surprise, China -- long criticized for its human rights record -- signed the declaration, leaving the U.S. as the outlier. At the summit, Vance made his first major policy speech since becoming vice president last month, framing AI as an economic turning point but cautioning that "at this moment, we face the extraordinary prospect of a new industrial revolution, one on par with the invention of the steam engine." "But it will never come to pass if overregulation deters innovators from taking the risks necessary to advance the ball," Vance added. The 40-year-old vice president, leveraging the AI summit and a security conference in Munich later this week, is seeking to project Trump's forceful new style of diplomacy. The Trump administration will "ensure that AI systems developed in America are free from ideological bias," Vance said and pledged the U.S. would "never restrict our citizens' right to free speech." Vance also took aim at foreign governments for "tightening the screws" on U.S. tech firms, saying such moves were troubling. His remarks underscored the growing divide between Washington and its European allies on AI governance. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stressed that, "AI needs the confidence of the people and has to be safe" and detailed EU guidelines intended to standardize the bloc's AI Act but acknowledged concerns over regulatory burden. "At the same time, I know that we have to make it easier and we have to cut red tape and we will," she added. She also announced that the "InvestAI" initiative had reached a total of €200 billion in AI investments across Europe, including €20 billion dedicated to AI gigafactories. The summit laid bare competing global AI strategies -- Europe pushing to regulate and invest, China expanding AI through state-backed giants, and the U.S. doubling down on an unregulated, free-market approach. French President Emmanuel Macron positioned Europe as a "third way" in the AI race, one that avoids dependence on major powers like the U.S. and China. "We want a fair and open access to these innovations for the whole planet," he said in his closing speech, arguing that the AI sector "needs rules" on a global scale to build public trust and urging greater "international governance." Macron also hailed newly announced investments in France and across Europe, underscoring the continent's ambitions in AI. "We're in the race," he said. Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing, special envoy of Xi Jinping, reinforced Beijing's intent to shape global AI standards. Vance, a vocal critic of European content moderation policies, has suggested the U.S. should reconsider its NATO commitments if European governments impose restrictions on Elon Musk's social media platform, X. His Paris visit was also expected to include candid discussions on Ukraine, AI's role in global power shifts, and U.S.-China tensions.

Vance challenges Europe's 'excessive regulation' of AI

US Vice President JD Vance warned against what he called "excessive regulation" of artificial intelligence at the AI Action Summit in Paris on Tuesday, saying the Trump administration will not accept other companies "tightening the screws" on US companies. Vance's address to global leaders and tech industry executives targeted Europe's regulatory approach to AI and its moderation of content on Big Tech platforms, underscoring a widening, three-way rift over the future of the technology. Under President Donald Trump, the US is championing a hands-off approach to innovation, while Europe is tightening the reins with strict regulations to ensure safety and accountability. Meanwhile, China is rapidly expanding AI through state-backed tech giants, vying for dominance in the global race. "The Trump administration is troubled by reports that some foreign governments are considering tightening the screws on US tech companies with international footprints," Vance said, adding that "America cannot and will not accept that, and we think it's a terrible mistake, not just for the United States of America, but for your own countries." Vance made his first foreign trip as vice president to attend the AI Action Summit, and in his first major policy speech framed AI as an economic turning point, while cautioning that "at this moment, we face the extraordinary prospect of a new industrial revolution, one on par with the invention of the steam engine". "But it will never come to pass if over-regulation deters innovators from taking the risks necessary to advance the ball," Vance added. With appearances at both the AI summit and the Munich Security Conference later this week, Vance is seeking to project Trump's forceful style of diplomacy. The Trump administration will "ensure that AI systems developed in America are free from ideological bias," Vance said, pledging that the US would "never restrict our citizens' right to free speech." And the US was noticeably absent from an international document signed by more than 60 nations, including China, making the Trump administration the glaring outlier in a global pledge to promote responsible AI development. The document pledged to "promote AI accessibility to reduce digital divides" and "ensure AI is open, inclusive, transparent, ethical, safe, secure, and trustworthy". It also called for "making AI sustainable for people and the planet" and protecting "human rights, gender equality, linguistic diversity, consumer rights, and intellectual property". In a surprise move, China -- long criticised for its human rights record -- signed the declaration, further widening the distance between the US and the rest of the world in the struggle for AI supremacy. The agreement comes as the EU enforces its AI Act, the world's first comprehensive AI law, which took effect in August 2024. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stressed that "AI needs the confidence of the people and has to be safe'', but she also acknowledged concerns over regulatory burden. "At the same time, I know that we have to make it easier and we have to cut red tape, and we will," she added. She also announced that the "InvestAI" initiative had reached a total of €200 billion in AI investments across Europe, including €20 billion dedicated to AI gigafactories.

JD Vance criticizes EU's 'massive' AI regulations at Paris Summit

PARIS - Vice President JD Vance told Europeans on Tuesday their "massive" regulations on artificial intelligence could strangle the technology and rejected content moderation as "authoritarian censorship". In another sign of divergence on AI governance, the United States and Britain did not sign on to the final statement of a French-hosted AI summit that said AI should be inclusive, open, ethical and safe. The mood on AI has shifted as the technology takes root, from one of concerns around safety to geopolitical competition, as countries jockey to nurture the next big AI giant. Setting out the Trump administration's America First agenda, Vance said the United States intended to remain the dominant force in AI and strongly opposed the European Union's far tougher regulatory approach. "We believe that excessive regulation of the AI sector could kill a transformative industry," Vance told the summit of CEOs and heads of state in Paris. "We feel very strongly that AI must remain free from ideological bias and that American AI will not be co-opted into a tool for authoritarian censorship." Vance criticized the "massive regulations" created by the EU's Digital Services Act and Europe's online privacy rules, known by the acronym GDPR, which he said meant endless legal compliance costs for smaller firms. "Of course, we want to ensure the internet is a safe place, but it is one thing to prevent a predator from preying on a child on the internet, and it is something quite different to prevent a grown man or woman from accessing an opinion that the government thinks is misinformation," he said. European lawmakers last year approved the bloc's AI Act, the world's first comprehensive set of rules governing the technology. Vance is leading the American delegation at the Paris summit. He left just after his speech, without listening to European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, who spoke right after him, or French President Emmanuel Macron, who gave the closing speech. He later met separately with each for talks. In his speech, Vance also appeared to take aim at China at a delicate moment for the U.S. technology sector. Last month, Chinese startup DeepSeek freely distributed a powerful AI reasoning model that some said challenged U.S. technology leadership. It sent shares of American chip designer Nvidia NVDA.O down 17%. "From CCTV to 5G equipment, we're all familiar with cheap tech in the marketplace that's been heavily subsidized and exported by authoritarian regimes," Vance said. But "partnering with them means chaining your nation to an authoritarian master that seeks to infiltrate, dig in and seize your information infrastructure," he added. Vance did not mention DeepSeek by name. There has been no evidence that information could surreptitiously flow through the startup's technology to China's government, and the underlying code is freely available to use and view. However, some government organizations have reportedly banned DeepSeek's use. Macron told the summit he was in favor of trimming red tape but stressed that regulation was needed to ensure trust in AI, or people would end up rejecting it. "We need a trustworthy AI," he said. Von der Leyen also said the EU would reduce bureaucracy and invest more in AI. The United States and Britain did not immediately explain why they had not signed the AI Summit's declaration, as a published text shows, while at least 60 countries including China had done so. Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing told the summit that China was willing to work with other countries to safeguard security and share achievements in the field of artificial intelligence to build "a community with a shared future for mankind." A source close to organizers said they were not surprised that the United States had not signed, considering their stance on regulation. A British government source cited concerns about some of the language Britain could not get changed and said the approach agreed at the Paris summit was "pretty different" than the first AI Safety summit, which was hosted by Britain in 2023. "Clearly from JD Vance's speech, the U.S. policy has an unequivocal shift now," said Russell Wald, executive director at the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence. "Safety is not going to be the primary focus but instead it's going to be accelerated innovation and the belief that the technology is an opportunity, and safety equals regulation, regulation equals losing that opportunity." Dario Amodei, chief executive of the OpenAI competitor Anthropic, which has aimed to distinguish its work as more safety-focused, said the summit represented a "missed opportunity" to address supply chain controls, AI's security risks and expected labor market disruption.

Vance warns Europe against overregulating emerging AI

U.S. Vice President JD Vance said that the Trump administration will work to make the U.S. the "gold standard worldwide" for artificial intelligence as he issued strong warnings against regulating political speech. Speaking Tuesday to an audience in Paris that included several European Union leaders, he took particular aim at the bloc's tough regulatory approach to social media platforms and AI, accusing it of trying to clamp down on Silicon Valley. "The Trump administration is troubled by reports that some foreign governments are considering tightening the screws on U.S. tech companies with international footprints," Vance said during an AI summit hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron. "Now America cannot and will not accept that, and we think it's a terrible mistake, not just for the United States of America, but for your own countries."

Vance rips 'excessive' AI regulation at Paris summit

Vice President Vance slammed "excessive regulation" of artificial intelligence on Tuesday, making clear the Trump administration's stance on the emerging tech on an international stage. "We believe that excessive regulation of the AI sector could kill a transformative industry just as it's taking off," Vance said Tuesday in Paris at the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit. "And I'd like to see that deregulatory flavor making a lot of the conversations this conference." The speech built upon a series of executive actions President Trump took shortly after inauguration last month, including the repeal of former President Biden's 2023 executive order that placed guardrails on AI innovation. He quickly signed an executive order to roll back any policies that "act as barriers to American AI innovation." Coupled with Vance's remarks, the Trump administration is signaling a growing disagreement with Europe over how to handle the emerging tech. Questions have long swirled over how the U.S. should balance AI innovation and regulation. The Trump administration has so far prioritized AI innovation in a more hands-off approach, contrasting with Europe, which has largely tightened regulations over safety and responsibility concerns. "The Trump administration believes that AI will have countless revolutionary applications and economic innovation, job creation, national security, health care, free expression and beyond," Vance said. "And to restrict its development now will not only unfairly benefit incumbents in the space, it would mean paralyzing one of the most promising technologies that we have seen in generations." The vice president emphasized the U.S. intends to be the leader in AI innovation and will do so on a "pro worker growth path" amid concerns the technology will reduce job availability and value. "Too many of the leaders in the AI industry when they talk about this fear of replacing workers, I think they really miss the point," Vance said. "AI, we believe, is going to make us more productive, more prosperous and more free. The United States of America is the leader in AI and our administration plans to keep it that way." He added the Trump administration is working to ensure AI systems are built in the U.S. with American designed and manufactured chips as it seeks to curb foreign competition. "Just because we're the leader doesn't mean we want or need to go it alone, of course," he said, adding, "America wants to partner with all of you. We want to embark on the AI revolution before us with the spirit of openness and collaboration but to create that kind of trust, we need international regulatory regimes that foster the creation of AI technology rather than strangles it." The U.S. was not part of a joint statement signed by more than 60 nations, which pledged to "promote AI accessibility to reduce digital divides" and "ensure AI is open, inclusive, transparent, ethical, safe, secure and trustworthy." Vance noted it does not mean "safety go[es] out the window," but that countries must focus on harnessing the opportunity.

JD Vance Tells World to Shove It, US Won't Join International Treaty on AI

Vice President JD Vance claimed regulation could "kill a transformative industry." There are now two major international agreements designed to protect the global community that the United States is refusing to participate in: The Paris Climate Accords, which the Trump administration has pulled out of for the second time, and now the declaration that came out of the Paris AI Action Summit which called for all development of artificial intelligence tools and technology to be inclusive, open, ethical, sustainable, and safe. God forbid, right? The United States was not alone in its rejection of the agreement, which was signed by over 70 governments and international bodies including the European Union, China, and India. The United Kingdom also opted not to place its signature on the pledge, a move it signaled on Monday according to Politico, without providing any public explanation as to why. The US was not so quiet about its reasons. In his first international address, Vice President JD Vance essentially told the world that they could shove it if they're expecting the United States to act responsibly when it comes to AI development. Vance referred to the declaration, which does not seem to have any enforcement method, as a "massive" set of regulations that amounts to "authoritarian censorship," per Reuters. Vance's primary reason for snubbing the global community, he said, was because the Trump administration believes "excessive regulation of the AI sector could kill a transformative industry just as it's taking off." Growing that industry safely and with guide rails would get in the way of profits, you see, and that simply cannot stand. Vance, seemingly defiantly, insisted that not only will America reject this international agreement, but it'll "ensure that the most powerful A.I. systems are built in the U.S. with American designed and manufactured chips." And while he said that America won't go at it alone, he also made clear that if the rest of the world wants to come along on that journey, the Trump administration will allow itâ€"but only if they drop this whole "inclusive and sustainable" stuff. It seems at least part of the issue for Vance and the administration he represents stems from China, which did sign the agreement. At one point during his speech, Vance warned that "cheap tech in the marketplace" has been "heavily subsidized and exported by authoritarian regimes" and said "partnering with them means chaining your nation to an authoritarian master that seeks to infiltrate, dig in and seize your information infrastructure." While he didn't namedrop DeepSeek, the Chinese AI firm that grabbed headlines by releasing an open-source chatbot that was competitive with American models allegedly at a fraction of the price, it does seem that he was pointing directly at it in every other way. The rest of the world seemed disappointed but not shocked by America's decision to withhold its signature. And it seems like the Trump administration's reckless approach is already affecting others. French President Emmanuel Macron signed the agreement but also stated that France would seek to cut red tape when it comes to AI investment and development. European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen also said the EU would make a point to "reduce bureaucracy" and increase its investments in AI. That's about in line with what we've already seen from the AI industry. ChatGPT's very public arrival was born out of a rush to get to market, not an assurance that the tool was safe and ready for the public. By opting not to sign on to the AI Action Summit agreement, the Trump administration has signaled that's the plan for the industryâ€"be first, consequences be damned.

JD Vance Calls On European Nations To Step Back From 'Excessive Regulation' Of AI

PARIS (AP) -- In his first big moment on the world stage, Vice President JD Vance delivered an unmistakable message: the United States under the 47th president has room for you on the Trump train -- but it also has no problem leaving you behind. Vance, speaking at the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit in Paris on Tuesday, hewed closely to President Donald Trump's "America First" outlook as he spoke of maintaining U.S. dominance in the surging industry. He also pressed European nations to step back from "excessive regulation" of the AI sector that he said "could kill a transformative industry just as it's taking off." "Now, just because we're the leader doesn't mean we want to or need to go it alone," Vance said. "But to create that kind of trust, we need international regulatory regimes that fosters the creation of AI technology rather than strangles it. And we need our European friends in particular to look to this new frontier with optimism rather than trepidation." The message was centered on AI, but the tone and substance of Vance's remarks fall in line with a Trump administration that has been approaching policymaking -- and it opponents -- with the attitude that it's a juggernaut that will not be stopped. Already, Trump has effectively shut down much of foreign aid through the United States Agency for International Development. He remains insistent that post-war Gaza will be taken over and redeveloped by the U.S. into a "Riviera of the Middle East," despite Palestinians and much of the Arab world flatly rejecting his plans. He has also threatened to take back the Panama Canal and turn Canada into 51st state. Vance's remarks contrasted sharply with the overall tenor and content of the summit, which was largely focused on protecting democracies from disinformation and promoting the use of AI technology for the public interest. "The United States of America is the leader in AI, and our administration plans to keep that," Vance said. "The AI future is not going to be won by hand-wringing about safety. It will be won by building." Early in his address, he knocked former President Joe Biden's administration for being far too risk averse and referred derisively to a speech that then-Vice President Kamala Harris gave at a summit two years ago. "I'm not here this morning to talk about AI safety, which was the title of the conference a couple of years ago," Vance said. "I'm here to talk about AI opportunity." For Vance, the five-day overseas visit to Paris, and later Munich, for a pair of summits gives him an early chance to rub shoulders with world leaders and the titans of the tech industry. But his boss threw a little shade at Vance ahead of the trip, telling Fox News that the vice president was "very capable" but that he wasn't ready to endorse him as his heir apparent in 2028. "I think you have a lot of very capable people," Trump said. "So far, I think he's doing a fantastic job. It's too early. We're just starting." The Paris summit was billed by organizers France and India as an opportunity for leaders to focus on solutions and standards for shaping a more sustainable AI that works for collective progress. Vance told emerging AI innovators that America is open for business while expressing disbelief that some "foreign governments are considering tightening the screws on U.S. tech companies with international footprints." "This administration will not be the one to snuff out the startups and the grad students, producing some of the most groundbreaking applications of artificial intelligence," Vance said. "Instead, our laws will keep Big Tech, Little Tech and all other developers on a level playing field." The vice president arrived in Paris with Trump sparking new tension with world leaders, including some at the AI summit. Trump on Sunday announced hours before Vance embarked for his trip that he would levy 25% tariffs on all foreign aluminum and steel. The new tariffs didn't sit well with some U.S. allies. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen issued a statement early Tuesday that the U.S. tariffs "will not go unanswered." Hours later, von der Leyen and Vance sat down for talks at the U.S. embassy. Neither directly addressed the steel and aluminum tariffs in their brief appearance before reporters. "We also want to make sure that we're actually engaged in a security partnership that's good for both Europe and the United States," Vance said, as Trump has also been pressing for NATO members to dramatically increase domestic spending. Von der Leyen, for her part, noted a moment in Vance's speech when he called for allies to be motivated by optimism instead of fear. "I think the same should go for our transatlantic relations," von der Leyen said. "We should look with optimism." Vance and his wife, Usha, were hosted for lunch with French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, at the Elysee Palace. In an address on the opening day of the summit, Macron took a jab at Trump, contrasting France's push for reducing its reliance on fossil fuels with Trump's belief that pumping more oil could be the answer to solving all that's wrong with the economy. "In this world, where I have a good friend on the other side of the ocean saying, 'Drill, baby, drill,'" Macron said. "Here, there's no need to drill. It's just plug, baby, plug." Vance will head on Thursday to Munich, where he's slated to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss Russia's war on Ukraine, visit the site of the former Dachau concentration camp and deliver a much-anticipated address to the Munich Security Conference.

JD Vance warns 'massive' European regulation may kill AI, rips...

Vice President Vance told Europeans on Tuesday their "massive" regulations on artificial intelligence could strangle the technology, and rejected content moderation as "authoritarian censorship." In another sign of divergence on AI governance, the US and Britain did not sign up to the final statement of a French-hosted AI summit that said AI should be inclusive, open, ethical and safe. The mood on AI has shifted as the technology takes root, from one of concerns around safety to geopolitical competition, as countries jockey to nurture the next big AI giant. Setting out the Trump administration's America First agenda, Vance said the US intended to remain the dominant force in AI and strongly opposed the European Union's far tougher regulatory approach. "We believe that excessive regulation of the AI sector could kill a transformative industry," Vance told the summit of CEOs and heads of state in Paris. "We feel very strongly that AI must remain free from ideological bias and that American AI will not be co-opted into a tool for authoritarian censorship." Vance criticized the "massive regulations" created by the EU's Digital Services Act, as well as Europe's online privacy rules, which he said meant endless legal compliance costs for smaller firms. "Of course, we want to ensure the internet is a safe place, but it is one thing to prevent a predator from preying on a child on the internet, and it is something quite different to prevent a grown man or woman from accessing an opinion that the government thinks is misinformation," he said. European lawmakers last year approved the bloc's AI Act, the world's first comprehensive set of rules governing the technology. Vance is leading the American delegation at the Paris summit. He left just after his speech, without listening to European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, who spoke right after him, or French President Emmanuel Macron, who gave the closing speech. He later met separately with each, for talks. In his speech, Vance also appeared to take aim at China at a delicate moment for the U.S. technology sector. Last month, Chinese startup DeepSeek freely distributed a powerful AI reasoning model that some said challenged U.S. technology leadership. It sent shares of American chip designer Nvidia down 17%. "From CCTV to 5G equipment, we're all familiar with cheap tech in the marketplace that's been heavily subsidized and exported by authoritarian regimes," Vance said. But "partnering with them means chaining your nation to an authoritarian master that seeks to infiltrate, dig in and seize your information infrastructure," he added. Vance did not mention DeepSeek by name. There has been no evidence that information could surreptitiously flow through the startup's technology to China's government, and the underlying code is freely available to use and view. However, some government organizations have reportedly banned DeepSeek's use.

Vance stakes forceful claim to US leadership in AI

U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance on Tuesday vowed that the United States would maintain its leadership position in the development of advanced artificial intelligence and warned leaders of other countries not to adopt regulatory standards that might "kill" the new technology "just as it's taking off." "The United States of America is the leader in AI, and our administration plans to keep it that way," Vance told an audience of world leaders at an AI summit in Paris. He said the administration of President Donald Trump "will ensure that the most powerful AI systems are built in the U.S. with American-designed and manufactured chips." Vance said that the U.S. is open to collaboration with its allies. "But," he said, "to create that kind of trust, we need international regulatory regimes that foster the creation of AI technology rather than strangles it, and we need our European friends in particular to look to this new frontier with optimism rather than trepidation." Regulations criticized The vice president criticized the European Union's regulatory structure, in particular the privacy-focused General Data Protection Regulation and the misinformation-focused Digital Services Act, and he said the Trump administration will not accept foreign governments "tightening the screws on U.S. tech companies with international footprints." Vance also appeared to criticize the effort in Europe to replace power generated by burning fossil fuels with more sustainable sources, saying that countries are "chasing reliable power out of their nations" at a time when AI systems demand ever-greater access to electricity. "The AI future is not going to be won by handwringing about safety," Vance said. "It will be won by building -- from reliable power plants to the manufacturing facilities that can produce the chips of the future." While dozens of countries in attendance at the summit signed a joint declaration on "building trustworthy data governance frameworks to encourage development of innovative and privacy-protective AI," the U.S. and U.K. did not. More calls for reduced regulation Although not as dismissive of regulations and safety concerns as Vice President Vance, other leaders at the summit appeared to agree that the regulatory burden on companies in the AI field should be lightened. French President Emmanuel Macron, the summit's host, said that while safety concerns are important, Europe also needs to make it easier for AI firms there to move quickly and innovate at the same pace as other countries. "At the national and European scale, it is very clear that we have to resynchronize with the rest of the world," Macron said. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen defended the bloc's privacy regulations and other standards, pointing out that they are meant to help businesses by creating rules that apply uniformly across all 27 member countries. "At the same time, I know that we have to make it easier, and we have to cut red tape -- and we will," von der Leyen said. Veiled China comments Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing, who also attended the summit, said Beijing is prepared to work with other countries to develop AI technology, and it is willing to share its discoveries in the field with the aim of creating "a community with a shared future for mankind." In his remarks on Tuesday, Vance did not mention China by name but appeared to warn other nations against engaging in the kind of collaboration that Zhang described. Vance spoke of "hostile foreign adversaries" that "have weaponized AI software to rewrite history, surveil users and censor speech" and authoritarian regimes that have "stolen and used AI to strengthen their military intelligence and surveillance capabilities to capture foreign data and create propaganda to undermine other nations national security." Partnering with authoritarian regimes, Vance said, "means chaining your nation to an authoritarian master that seeks to infiltrate, dig in and seize your information infrastructure." The remarks came at a time when the U.S. is taking wide-ranging action to prevent China from gaining access to the most cutting-edge AI technologies. Recent news reports revealing that a seemingly innovative Chinese AI chatbot known as DeepSeek has been collecting user data and storing it on insecure servers in China has led several nations to restrict access to the service. On Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Gou Jiakun said in a press conference: "We take the safety and security of AI seriously, and support entrepreneurial innovation by Chinese companies, thus contributing China's part to global AI development." "We have helped developing countries enhance capacity building, advocating that AI technologies should be open-sourced and there should be greater accessibility to AI services so that the benefits of AI can be shared by all countries. That said, we are against drawing lines along ideological difference, overstretching the concept of national security, or politicizing trade and tech issues," Gou said. Tech researchers concerned Vance's remarks about excessive AI safety concerns were in sync with actions taken so far by the Trump administration. On the day he took office, President Trump rescinded an executive order signed by his predecessor entitled, "Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence." Following Vance's remarks Tuesday, U.S.-based artificial intelligence researchers warned that a world in which the U.S. declines to require companies to adopt AI safety precautions could make collaboration with colleagues in countries with stronger protections difficult. "In order to build effective AI, you have to source data globally, so you have more accurate, complete and representative data sets," Susan Ariel Aaronson told VOA. She is a professor at George Washington University and co-leader of the National Science Foundation's Trustworthy AI Institute for Law and Society. "Many AI researchers believe we're running out of data," Aaronson said. "The future for these firms, the future [for these] markets are overseas, and so we need rules to govern how we interact with policymakers and users in those markets." Mona Sloane, a professor at the University of Virginia who leads an AI research lab, told VOA that maintaining access to those data sets is a prevailing concern. "If you talk to people in the research community in the United States, those folks are acutely worried about access to data sets, about collaborating [internationally] on AI questions, or using AI in their research," she said. "There will be very severe implications for research in the United States on AI -- but also with AI -- by getting cut off from these international conversations," Sloane said.

Vance Offers an 'America First' Argument on AI Deregulation in His First Foreign Policy Speech

PARIS (AP) -- In his first big moment on the world stage, Vice President JD Vance delivered an unmistakable message: the United States under the 47th president has room for you on the Trump train -- but it also has no problem leaving you behind. Vance, speaking at the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit in Paris on Tuesday, hewed closely to President Donald Trump's "America First" outlook as he spoke of maintaining U.S. dominance in the surging industry. He also pressed European nations to step back from "excessive regulation" of the AI sector that he said "could kill a transformative industry just as it's taking off." "Now, just because we're the leader doesn't mean we want to or need to go it alone," Vance said. "But to create that kind of trust, we need international regulatory regimes that fosters the creation of AI technology rather than strangles it. And we need our European friends in particular to look to this new frontier with optimism rather than trepidation." The message was centered on AI, but the tone and substance of Vance's remarks fall in line with a Trump administration that has been approaching policymaking -- and it opponents -- with the attitude that it's a juggernaut that will not be stopped. Already, Trump has effectively shut down much of foreign aid through the United States Agency for International Development. He remains insistent that post-war Gaza will be taken over and redeveloped by the U.S. into a "Riviera of the Middle East," despite Palestinians and much of the Arab world flatly rejecting his plans. He has also threatened to take back the Panama Canal and turn Canada into 51st state. Vance's remarks contrasted sharply with the overall tenor and content of the summit, which was largely focused on protecting democracies from disinformation and promoting the use of AI technology for the public interest. "The United States of America is the leader in AI, and our administration plans to keep that," Vance said. "The AI future is not going to be won by hand-wringing about safety. It will be won by building." Early in his address, he knocked former President Joe Biden's administration for being far too risk averse and referred derisively to a speech that then- Vice President Kamala Harris gave at a summit two years ago. "I'm not here this morning to talk about AI safety, which was the title of the conference a couple of years ago," Vance said. "I'm here to talk about AI opportunity." For Vance, the five-day overseas visit to Paris, and later Munich, for a pair of summits gives him an early chance to rub shoulders with world leaders and the titans of the tech industry. But his boss threw a little shade at Vance ahead of the trip, telling Fox News that the vice president was "very capable" but that he wasn't ready to endorse him as his heir apparent in 2028. "I think you have a lot of very capable people," Trump said. "So far, I think he's doing a fantastic job. It's too early. We're just starting." The Paris summit was billed by organizers France and India as an opportunity for leaders to focus on solutions and standards for shaping a more sustainable AI that works for collective progress. Vance told emerging AI innovators that America is open for business while expressing disbelief that some "foreign governments are considering tightening the screws on U.S. tech companies with international footprints." "This administration will not be the one to snuff out the startups and the grad students, producing some of the most groundbreaking applications of artificial intelligence," Vance said. "Instead, our laws will keep Big Tech, Little Tech and all other developers on a level playing field." The vice president arrived in Paris with Trump sparking new tension with world leaders, including some at the AI summit. Trump on Sunday announced hours before Vance embarked for his trip that he would levy 25% tariffs on all foreign aluminum and steel. The new tariffs didn't sit well with some U.S. allies. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen issued a statement early Tuesday that the U.S. tariffs "will not go unanswered." Hours later, von der Leyen and Vance sat down for talks at the U.S. embassy. Neither directly addressed the steel and aluminum tariffs in their brief appearance before reporters. "We also want to make sure that we're actually engaged in a security partnership that's good for both Europe and the United States," Vance said, as Trump has also been pressing for NATO members to dramatically increase domestic spending. Von der Leyen, for her part, noted a moment in Vance's speech when he called for allies to be motivated by optimism instead of fear. "I think the same should go for our transatlantic relations," von der Leyen said. "We should look with optimism." Vance and his wife, Usha, were hosted for lunch with French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, at the Elysee Palace. In an address on the opening day of the summit, Macron took a jab at Trump, contrasting France's push for reducing its reliance on fossil fuels with Trump's belief that pumping more oil could be the answer to solving all that's wrong with the economy. "In this world, where I have a good friend on the other side of the ocean saying, 'Drill, baby, drill,'" Macron said. "Here, there's no need to drill. It's just plug, baby, plug." Vance will head on Thursday to Munich, where he's slated to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss Russia's war on Ukraine, visit the site of the former Dachau concentration camp and deliver a much-anticipated address to the Munich Security Conference. Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Vance offers an 'America First' argument on AI deregulation in his first foreign policy speech

PARIS (AP) -- In his first big moment on the world stage, Vice President JD Vance delivered an unmistakable message: the United States under the 47th president has room for you on the Trump train -- but it also has no problem leaving you behind. Vance, speaking at the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit in Paris on Tuesday, hewed closely to President Donald Trump's "America First" outlook as he spoke of maintaining U.S. dominance in the surging industry. He also pressed European nations to step back from "excessive regulation" of the AI sector that he said "could kill a transformative industry just as it's taking off." "Now, just because we're the leader doesn't mean we want to or need to go it alone," Vance said. "But to create that kind of trust, we need international regulatory regimes that fosters the creation of AI technology rather than strangles it. And we need our European friends in particular to look to this new frontier with optimism rather than trepidation." The message was centered on AI, but the tone and substance of Vance's remarks fall in line with a Trump administration that has been approaching policymaking -- and it opponents -- with the attitude that it's a juggernaut that will not be stopped. Already, Trump has effectively shut down much of foreign aid through the United States Agency for International Development. He remains insistent that post-war Gaza will be taken over and redeveloped by the U.S. into a "Riviera of the Middle East," despite Palestinians and much of the Arab world flatly rejecting his plans. He has also threatened to take back the Panama Canal and turn Canada into 51st state. Vance's remarks contrasted sharply with the overall tenor and content of the summit, which was largely focused on protecting democracies from disinformation and promoting the use of AI technology for the public interest. "The United States of America is the leader in AI, and our administration plans to keep that," Vance said. "The AI future is not going to be won by hand-wringing about safety. It will be won by building." Early in his address, he knocked former President Joe Biden's administration for being far too risk averse and referred derisively to a speech that then- Vice President Kamala Harris gave at a summit two years ago. "I'm not here this morning to talk about AI safety, which was the title of the conference a couple of years ago," Vance said. "I'm here to talk about AI opportunity." For Vance, the five-day overseas visit to Paris, and later Munich, for a pair of summits gives him an early chance to rub shoulders with world leaders and the titans of the tech industry. But his boss threw a little shade at Vance ahead of the trip, telling Fox News that the vice president was "very capable" but that he wasn't ready to endorse him as his heir apparent in 2028. "I think you have a lot of very capable people," Trump said. "So far, I think he's doing a fantastic job. It's too early. We're just starting." The Paris summit was billed by organizers France and India as an opportunity for leaders to focus on solutions and standards for shaping a more sustainable AI that works for collective progress. Vance told emerging AI innovators that America is open for business while expressing disbelief that some "foreign governments are considering tightening the screws on U.S. tech companies with international footprints." "This administration will not be the one to snuff out the startups and the grad students, producing some of the most groundbreaking applications of artificial intelligence," Vance said. "Instead, our laws will keep Big Tech, Little Tech and all other developers on a level playing field." The vice president arrived in Paris with Trump sparking new tension with world leaders, including some at the AI summit. Trump on Sunday announced hours before Vance embarked for his trip that he would levy 25% tariffs on all foreign aluminum and steel. The new tariffs didn't sit well with some U.S. allies. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen issued a statement early Tuesday that the U.S. tariffs "will not go unanswered." Hours later, von der Leyen and Vance sat down for talks at the U.S. embassy. Neither directly addressed the steel and aluminum tariffs in their brief appearance before reporters. "We also want to make sure that we're actually engaged in a security partnership that's good for both Europe and the United States," Vance said, as Trump has also been pressing for NATO members to dramatically increase domestic spending. Von der Leyen, for her part, noted a moment in Vance's speech when he called for allies to be motivated by optimism instead of fear. "I think the same should go for our transatlantic relations," von der Leyen said. "We should look with optimism." Vance and his wife, Usha, were hosted for lunch with French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, at the Elysee Palace. In an address on the opening day of the summit, Macron took a jab at Trump, contrasting France's push for reducing its reliance on fossil fuels with Trump's belief that pumping more oil could be the answer to solving all that's wrong with the economy. "In this world, where I have a good friend on the other side of the ocean saying, 'Drill, baby, drill,'" Macron said. "Here, there's no need to drill. It's just plug, baby, plug." Vance will head on Thursday to Munich, where he's slated to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss Russia's war on Ukraine, visit the site of the former Dachau concentration camp and deliver a much-anticipated address to the Munich Security Conference.

JD Vance Rails Against 'Excessive' AI Regulation

U.S. Vice President JD Vance on Tuesday warned global leaders and tech industry executives that "excessive regulation" could cripple the rapidly growing artificial intelligence industry in a rebuke to European efforts to curb AI's risks. The speech underscored a widening, three-way rift over the future of the technology -- one that critics warn could either cement human progress for generations or set the stage for its downfall. The United States, under President Donald Trump, champions a hands-off approach to fuel innovation, while Europe is tightening the reins with strict regulations to ensure safety and accountability. Meanwhile, China is rapidly expanding AI through state-backed tech giants, vying for dominance in the global race. The U.S. was noticeably absent from an international document signed by more than 60 nations, including China, making the Trump Administration the glaring outlier in a global pledge to promote responsible AI development.

JD Vance rails against excessive regulation of AI at Paris summit

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world's population sees AP journalism every day. JD Vance, making his first major policy speech since becoming vice president last month, said the Trump administration will "ensure that AI systems developed in America are free from ideological bias," and that the United States would "never restrict our citizens' right to free speech."

Vance, in First Foreign Speech, Tells Europe That U.S. Will Dominate A.I.

David E. Sanger has covered six American presidencies and writes often on technological competition among the world's superpowers. Vice President JD Vance told European and Asian leaders in Paris on Tuesday that the Trump Administration was adapting an aggressive, America First approach to the race to dominate all the building blocks of artificial intelligence, and warned Europeans to dismantle regulations and get aboard with Washington. On his first foreign trip since taking office, Mr. Vance used his opening address at an A.I. summit meeting hosted by France and India to describe his vision of a coming era of American technological domination. Europe, he said, would be forced to chose between using American-designed and manufactured technology or siding with authoritarian competitors -- a not-very-veiled reference to China -- who would exploit the technology to their detriment. "The Trump administration will ensure that the most powerful A.I. systems are built in the U.S. with American design and manufactured chips," he said, quickly adding that "just because we are the leader doesn't mean we want to or need to go it alone." But he said that for Europe to become what he clearly envisions as a junior partner, it must eliminate much of its digital regulatory structure -- and much of its policing of the internet for what its governments define as disinformation. For Mr. Vance, who is on a weeklong tour that will take him next to the Munich Security Conference, Europe's premier meeting of leaders, foreign and defense ministers and others, the speech was clearly intended as a warning shot. It largely silenced the hall in a wing of the Grand Palais in the center of Paris. Leaders accustomed to talking about "guardrails" for emerging artificial intelligence applications and "equity" to assure the technology is available and comfortable for underserved populations heard none of those phrases from Mr. Vance. He spoke only hours after President Trump put new 25 percent tariffs on foreign steel, essentially negating trade agreements with Europe and other regions. Mr. Vance's speech, precisely composed and delivered with emphasis, seemed an indicator of the tone Mr. Trump's national security leaders plan to take to Europe this week. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will be talking about Ukraine with European leaders on Wednesday, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrives in Munich when the conference opens at the end of the week. That session is likely to be dominated by competing American and European views on how to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine. With a brief background in Silicon Valley and venture capital, Mr. Vance is the image of a new generation of Republicans soaked in Mr. Trump's America First ideology. After Mr. Vance left the hall, not staying to hear the European response, the United States and Britain declined to sign the summit's communiqué. Mr. Vance started off his speech with a direct reference to the A.I. Safety Summit, held at Bletchley Park, the grand estate in Britain where code-breakers cracked the German Enigma codes in World War II. That conference ended with a dire warning of "serious, even catastrophic harm, either deliberate or unintentional, stemming from the most significant capabilities of these A.I. models." Twenty-eight nations, including the U.S., vowed to "work together in an inclusive manner to ensure human-centric, trustworthy and responsible A.I." Mr. Vance went out of his way to separate himself from that summit and the speech given by his predecessor, Kamala Harris. "I'm not here this morning to talk about A.I. safety," he said. "I'm hear to talk about A.I. opportunities," warning that America's response to the challenge of A.I. could no longer be "self-conscious" or "risk averse." "The A.I. future is not going to be won by hand-wringing about safety," he said. At a moment that Mr. Trump is disbanding government boards and units that were hunting down disinformation, much of it from Russia, China and Iran, Mr. Vance made the case that American technology firms were still dealing with "massive regulations" in Europe. He did not propose scrapping all such rules but said, "It is one thing to prevent a predator from preying on a child on the internet, and it is something quite different to prevent a grown man or woman from accessing opinions that the government thinks is misinformation." Of course in Washington, that is exactly what many federal employees charge Mr. Trump is doing, as he orders all references to D.E.I. -- diversity, equity and inclusion -- stripped from government websites, and has banned government employees from putting their preferred personal pronouns in their signatures. At the same time Mr. Vance warned about how "hostile foreign adversaries have weaponized A.I. software to rewrite history, surveillance users and censor speech." But he did not explain how to monitor or remedy that issue. European officials knew roughly what was coming, even if they did not know Mr. Vance would be so blunt. In the opening day of the conference, France's president, Emmanuel Macron, spoke of a need to simplify European regulation. He has announced over $100 billion in private investment in France on AI technologies, and the power to generate them. That is a huge figure for France, but a fraction of what the private sector is spending in the United States, and what China and its state-owned firms, and startups, are committing. Mr. Vance got to the heart of a central dispute that is likely to widen in the coming year: The European Union regulates tech companies much more forcefully than the United States. The bloc's Digital Services Act, passed in 2022, aims to combat misinformation and force social media companies to more aggressively police and moderate their platforms for illicit content -- or risk billions of dollars in fines. The Digital Markets Act, also passed in 2022, gives European regulators wide authority to force the largest online gatekeepers to change their business practices, to prevent tech giants from boxing in users and to foster more competition. Europe has also sought to be at the forefront of regulating A.I. by pushing to raise the level of oversight and attempting to limit the use of the technology. But with the United States and China racing ahead in A.I. development, Mr. Macron has urged Europe to ease up and prioritize innovation over regulation. Regulators in Brussels have targeted U.S. tech companies with multiple investigations and fines. Apple and Google have faced billions in fines over issues like unpaid taxes and preferential treatment in search results. Meta has been accused of violating European competition rules and of having insufficient safeguards to counter election disinformation. Last month, regulators opened an investigation into X over the spread of illicit content. The United States has argued that Europe's approach unfairly targets American tech titans. Mark Zuckerberg, the head of Meta, called on Mr. Trump to defend U.S. tech companies from what he called European "censorship," and to demand that the European Union stop fining them. "We're going to work with President Trump to push back on governments around the world that are going against American businesses," Mr. Zuckerberg said last month, shortly after he announced that Meta would end its fact-checking program. Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, who spoke on Tuesday right after Mr. Vance, did not forcefully confront her predecessor -- who had already left the room. Echoing Mr. Macron, she herself acknowledged that "we have to make it easier, and we have to cut red tape, and we will." "Too often I hear that Europe is late to the race, that the United States and China have already gotten ahead," she said. "I disagree. The A.I. race is far from being over." Ms. von der Leyen said Europe aimed to invest $200 billion in A.I in the coming years. But she also defended the European Union's regulatory approach and suggested there was a "distinct European brand of A.I." that focused on "complex applications," that was cooperative, and that embraced an open-source approach, meaning the underlying software is widely shared. "Yes, A.I. needs competition," she said. "But A.I. also needs collaboration. And A.I. needs the confidence of the people, and has to be safe." Liz Alderman and Aurelien Breeden contributed reporting from the A.I. summit in Paris.

Vance warns tech leaders, politicians against excessive AI regulation

Vice President JD Vance warned foreign leaders on Tuesday against placing excessive regulations on artificial intelligence in Paris. He highlighted U.S. advancements in AI and vowed to safeguard the technology from people trying to weaponize it. CBS News White House reporter Olivia Rinaldi has the details.

Vance: 'Authoritarian Censorship' in EU Could Smother AI | PYMNTS.com

Vice President JD Vance has reportedly warned Europeans against overregulation of artificial intelligence (AI). Speaking Tuesday (Feb. 11) in Paris, Vance also dismissed AI content moderation as "authoritarian censorship," and said the U.S. intended to remain at the top of the AI ladder. "We believe that excessive regulation of the AI sector could kill a transformative industry," said Vance, whose comments were reported by Reuters. "We feel very strongly that AI must remain free from ideological bias and that American AI will not be co-opted into a tool for authoritarian censorship." Vance added that dealing with Europe's online privacy rules -- the General Data Protection Regulation, or GDPR -- meant ongoing compliance costs for smaller companies. The Reuters report notes that the tech world has been closely watching to see if the Trump administration would roll back the antitrust enforcement against a number of tech giants. The vice president told his audience that the U.S. would back American AI firms, but that the country's "laws will keep Big Tech, little tech, and all other developers on a level playing field." Vance also said the world needs to be skeptical of incumbents calling for safety regulations that could help cement their status in the industry. Soon after Trump took office last month, he reversed predecessor Joe Biden's AI executive order from 2023. That order would have required the federal government to vet the advanced AI models of major developers like OpenAI, Google and Amazon. It also established chief AI officers in major federal agencies and outlined frameworks addressing ethical and security risks. "Trump's reversal marks a significant policy shift that is lighter on regulations and guardrails and more pro-growth and pro-innovation," PYMNTS wrote last month. "However, it is unclear how his repeal of Biden's executive order will be enacted on the grounds that federal agencies have already instituted such policies. Notably, Trump established the first executive order on AI during his first term in office." Vance's comments came one week after British lawmakers issued a report saying that AI startups are at risk of leaving the U.K. due in part to regulatory complexity. Nathalie Moreno, a partner specializing in AI at Kennedys law firm in London, said in an interview with PYMNTS that the report "underscores a growing gap between the U.K.'s ambition and execution in AI and tech policy." Moreno added that "fragmented government support, limited access to capital in the U.K., risk-averse investors, and regulatory uncertainty are driving startups abroad."

JD Vance Says 'Excessive Regulation' Could Kill The Industry As US, UK Refuse To Sign AI Safety Pact

Enter your email to get Benzinga's ultimate morning update: The PreMarket Activity Newsletter On Tuesday, the United States and the United Kingdom declined to sign a global AI safety declaration at the AI Action Summit in Paris, marking a departure from previous AI summits where they had supported similar agreements. What Happened: Around 60 countries, including China, India, and Germany, signed a non-binding declaration advocating for AI to be "safe, secure, and trustworthy," reported the Financial Times. U.S. Vice President JD Vance, speaking at the event, criticized what he called "overly precautionary" AI regulations that could stifle innovation. "We believe that excessive regulation of the AI sector could kill a transformative industry just as it's taking off," Vance stated. See Also: Sam Altman's OpenAI Set To Finalize In-House AI Chip, Reducing Dependence On Nvidia: Report "America wants to partner with all of you...but to create that kind of trust, we need international regulatory regimes that foster the creation of AI technology rather than strangle it," he said. He said that the Donald Trump administration would ensure "the most powerful AI systems are built in the U.S., with American-designed and manufactured chips." A British official suggested that the declaration's wording was "too restrictive." Another U.K. government spokesperson stated it "didn't provide enough practical clarity on global governance, nor sufficiently address harder questions around national security," the report noted. Subscribe to the Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox. Why It Matters: The refusal to sign the declaration highlights growing geopolitical tensions over AI governance. The U.S., eager to maintain its edge over China, is focusing on AI innovation. Last month, Trump announced a $500 billion private-sector AI investment package, known as the "Stargate" project, aimed at building massive data centers in Texas. The shockwaves caused by China's DeepSeek AI model, which delivers high-level performance at lower costs, have further fueled concerns in Silicon Valley. Despite the cost-effectiveness of such models, China's industry leaders like Baidu CEO Robin Li have stressed the need for continued investment in AI infrastructure to maintain a competitive edge. Image via Shutterstock Check out more of Benzinga's Consumer Tech coverage by following this link. Read Next: Meta's AI Push Could Add $100 Per Share While Tesla Faces EV Headwinds: Top Analyst Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of Benzinga Neuro and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors. Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs