AI Summit: Nations Call for ‘Trustworthy’ AI Amid Regulation Concerns

NEW DELHI – Dozens of nations, including the United States and China, have affirmed the need for “secure, trustworthy and robust” artificial intelligence, in a summit declaration on Saturday that has drawn criticism for its lack of concrete regulatory commitments.

The statement, signed by 86 countries following the five-day AI Impact Summit, largely highlights voluntary, non-binding initiatives rather than establishing firm rules for the rapidly evolving technology. “AI’s promise is best realised only when its benefits are shared by humanity,” the declaration stated, describing the emergence of generative AI as “an inflection point in the trajectory of technological evolution.”

The summit, attended by tens of thousands including leading technology CEOs, focused on both the potential benefits of AI – such as advancements in drug discovery and translation tools – and the risks, including potential job displacement, the spread of online abuse and the substantial energy demands of data centres. Analysts had predicted that the summit’s broad scope and the vague promises made at previous meetings in France, South Korea, and Britain would likely preclude any strong pledges or immediate action.

US Re-Engages, But With Reservations

Notably, the United States, home to industry giants like Google and OpenAI, did not sign last year’s summit statement, citing concerns that regulation could stifle innovation. We totally reject global governance of AI, said Michael Kratsios, head of the US delegation, on Friday. The US instead pursued a bilateral declaration with India, pledging to pursue a global approach to AI that is unapologetically friendly to entrepreneurship, and innovation.

However, the United States ultimately added its name to the main summit declaration, a move facilitated by a one-day delay in its release to maximize the number of signatories, according to the Indian government. This shift suggests a willingness to participate in broader discussions, even while maintaining reservations about binding international governance.

The declaration’s cautious tone regarding AI safety risks – encompassing misinformation, surveillance, and the potential for creating dangerous pathogens – reflects a growing global awareness of the technology’s potential downsides. Deepening our understanding of the potential security aspects remains important, the statement read, adding that security in AI systems should be addressed through industry-led voluntary measures, technical solutions, and appropriate policy frameworks that enable innovation.

The document also acknowledged the potential impact of AI on the job market, emphasizing the need for reskilling initiatives to support participants in preparation for a future AI-driven economy. it underscore[d] the importance of developing energy-efficient AI systems in light of the technology’s increasing demands on natural resources.

A ‘Industry-Approved’ Agenda?

The lack of a more forceful declaration has prompted criticism from some observers. Amba Kak, co-executive director of the AI Now Institute, described the statement as another round of generic voluntary promises. The fact that this declaration drew such wide endorsement, especially from the US, which held out in Paris, tells you what kind of agenda it is: one that is AI-industry approved, not one that meaningfully protects the public, she told AFP.

This criticism highlights a central tension in the global conversation surrounding AI: balancing the desire to foster innovation with the need to mitigate potential risks. The US position, as articulated by Kratsios, underscores a preference for a less regulated approach, prioritizing entrepreneurial freedom. China, while not directly quoted in this reporting, has previously emphasized international governance and standards, as evidenced by its “Global AI Governance Action Plan” released in July 2025.

The differing approaches of the US and China, as noted in reports from earlier in this year and last year, suggest they may be running in different lanes rather than engaged in a traditional arms race, according to analysis from IEEE Spectrum. The US appears focused on maintaining its lead in Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) – AI that surpasses human cognitive abilities – while China’s priorities may lie elsewhere.

The question of whether the US and China are racing toward the same finish line, or even defining the race in the same way, remains open. As one expert noted, determining when AGI has been achieved may not be straightforward, and even if both countries reach that point within a short timeframe, the implications for global power dynamics are uncertain.

India’s hosting of the summit, the first by a developing country, signals a growing recognition of the need for broader participation in the global AI conversation. The country is attempting to navigate a path between the approaches of the US and China, as evidenced by the bilateral declaration with the US and its participation in the broader summit statement. The summit’s outcome, however, suggests that achieving a truly unified and effective global approach to AI regulation remains a significant challenge.