The third edition of the AI Action Summit is set to take place in Paris, France, on February 10 and 11, 2025. This highly anticipated global event will bring together world leaders, policymakers, industry experts, and AI pioneers to discuss the future of artificial intelligence (AI), its governance, and its role in shaping economies and societies.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi will co-chair the summit, highlighting India’s growing role in global AI leadership. Other prominent attendees include U.S. Vice President JD Vance, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Microsoft President Brad Smith, and Google CEO Sundar Pichai. China will also participate, with Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing representing its delegation.
With previous editions held in the UK (2023) and South Korea (2024), this year’s summit aims to go beyond safety commitments and focus on AI’s benefits for developing nations, open-source AI, energy efficiency, and global governance. The discussions will address AI’s impact on employment, emerging economies, public services, and sustainability.
Summit’s Core Themes
The Paris AI Action Summit 2025 will be centered around five key themes, each crucial for shaping the future of AI:
1. AI for Public Services
Governments worldwide are looking at AI as a tool to enhance public services, from healthcare and education to law enforcement and urban planning. The summit will explore case studies and best practices, emphasizing how AI can improve governance, streamline operations, and increase efficiency in public service delivery.
2. The Future of Work in the AI Era
One of the most debated topics in AI is its effect on the workforce. As automation increases, concerns about job losses, skills development, and workforce adaptation remain. Leaders will discuss strategies to reskill workers, create new AI-driven job opportunities, and ensure AI acts as a productivity booster rather than a job disruptor.
3. AI and Innovation in Business & Culture
AI is transforming businesses, creative industries, and innovation. From film production and digital art to scientific research and medical advancements, the summit will highlight how AI is fostering creativity and innovation while ensuring ethical considerations.
4. Building Trust in AI
A major challenge in AI adoption is trust and transparency. Discussions will focus on bias in AI systems, data privacy, ethical AI development, and governance frameworks to ensure AI remains fair, unbiased, and inclusive.
5. Global Governance and Collaboration
AI is a borderless technology, but policies regulating it vary worldwide. The summit will explore how nations can collaborate on AI governance, establish ethical frameworks, and ensure that AI development benefits all rather than being dominated by a few powerful entities.
A Focus on Emerging Economies and AI for Development
A key highlight of this year’s summit is its emphasis on AI’s role in economic development, especially for emerging economies. The AI4India initiative, along with the Center for Policy Research and Governance (CPRG), will co-host a panel discussion on AI in the Global South. The discussion will focus on:
- How AI can help developing nations accelerate economic growth
- The use of AI-driven data analytics for policy-making and governance
- Bridging the AI skills gap in less-developed regions
Unlike previous summits, which focused largely on AI safety commitments, the 2025 Paris summit aims to ensure equitable AI benefits distribution and highlight the role of open-source AI models and clean energy solutions for AI data centers.
China’s Role and the Rise of DeepSeek AI
China’s participation at the AI Action Summit is significant, especially with the rise of its low-cost foundational model, DeepSeek AI. DeepSeek has positioned itself as a strong competitor in global AI markets, challenging models developed in the U.S. and Europe.
The summit will provide a platform for China to:
- Discuss its approach to AI governance and global AI collaboration
- Showcase its AI advancements and future roadmaps
- Address industry concerns related to AI ethics, energy consumption, and security
China’s Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing will represent the country, signaling a growing commitment to global AI discussions despite ongoing geopolitical tensions.
AI and Energy Efficiency: France’s Strategic Vision
With the rapid expansion of AI technologies, concerns over energy consumption and sustainability have increased. Training AI models and running data centers require massive energy resources, leading to environmental concerns.
France, with its strong nuclear energy capacity, will showcase how AI development can be balanced with energy efficiency. Key topics will include:
- Developing energy-efficient AI training models
- Reducing carbon footprints in AI infrastructure
- Exploring sustainable AI solutions for the future
By emphasizing clean energy solutions for AI data centers, France aims to position itself as a leader in sustainable AI development.
Global AI Funding Commitment: $2.5 Billion for Public-Interest AI
One of the biggest announcements expected from the summit is a global AI funding commitment, which will start with $500 million and is projected to reach $2.5 billion over five years.
This funding will be directed toward public-interest AI projects, including:
- AI-driven solutions for climate change and sustainability
- Healthcare and AI applications for disease prediction and treatment
- Education initiatives using AI to bridge learning gaps
- AI development in emerging economies
By supporting AI projects that benefit society at large, this funding initiative aims to democratize AI development and ensure that its advantages extend beyond major tech hubs.
International Collaboration: Nearly 100 Countries to Participate
The Paris AI Action Summit is expected to have representatives from nearly 100 countries, making it one of the most diverse AI governance summits ever held.
While nations will discuss policy approaches and AI collaborations, no new AI regulations are expected to be introduced. Instead, the focus will be on:
- Sharing technological advancements
- Enhancing AI-driven economic integration
- Exploring the strategic use of AI in different global markets
The Road Ahead: What to Expect from the Summit
As the Paris AI Action Summit 2025 unfolds, several key developments are expected:
- New AI governance frameworks: Discussions may lead to agreements on best practices for ethical AI development and deployment.
- Strategic partnerships: Countries and tech giants may announce new collaborations on AI-driven economic projects.
- Policy recommendations: While no strict regulations are expected, guidelines on AI governance, bias prevention, and transparency might be proposed.
- Tech showcases: Companies like OpenAI, Microsoft, and Google may reveal their latest AI advancements and future roadmaps.
- Funding announcements: More details on the $2.5 billion AI funding initiative will emerge.
Conclusion
The AI Action Summit 2025 in Paris marks a crucial moment in the global AI conversation. With leaders from across the world, including PM Narendra Modi, U.S. Vice President JD Vance, and tech CEOs, the summit aims to shape the future of AI development, governance, and economic integration.
As AI continues to evolve, the focus will shift from safety concerns to equitable AI benefits distribution, ensuring that AI serves all of humanity rather than a privileged few. The discussions in Paris will likely set the tone for AI policies, partnerships, and strategies in the years to come, making this summit one of the most significant AI gatherings in recent history.
