Technology is an all-pervasive element that has shown its implications for almost all aspects of human life. This has been revamped even more with the emergence and the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in recent times. In this context, the third edition of the recent Paris AI Action Summit hosted by France on the 10th and 11th of February 2025 holds much significance due to the ever-growing potential of AI which all states want to tap at the earliest. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to co-chair this summit in Paris. The summit strives to work on five main themes that are Public Interest AI, Future of Work, Innovation and Culture, Trust in AI and Global AI Governance.[1] However, it is on the cooperative efforts of the past two declarations that have set the stage for this summit. The timing of this AI Action Summit is unique due to the sudden rise of the Chinese open-source AI named DeepSeek which further adds a larger geopolitical tangent to this issue. It also brings the spotlight on India which will host the next summit later this year.
Cooperative efforts in the past
With the rise of AI which has proved to be an instrument of great power the need for its judicious use and reaching a consensus among various states for an inclusive model of the governance of AI holds much importance.
In this context, the world’s first AI Action Summit was held in the UK in 2023 aiming to develop AI in a safe manner and hold a human-centric, trustworthy and responsible approach to its development. The summit was instrumental in initiating an early discussion to regulate and govern AI for inclusive and sustainable development. The summit discussed a plethora of issues pertaining to AI and came up with the policy paper named ‘The Bletchley Declaration’in November 2023. [2]
In recognising the potential and capabilities that AI holds the Bletchley Declaration takes into consideration the importance of governance and regulation of AI to establish a broader framework in which the AI should function. Highlighting the above consideration the declaration states that, “We resolve to work together in an inclusive manner to ensure human-centric, trustworthy and responsible AI that is safe, and supports the good of all through existing international fora and other relevant initiatives, to promote cooperation to address the broad range of risks posed by AI. In doing so, we recognise that countries should consider the importance of a pro-innovation and proportionate governance and regulatory approach that maximises the benefits and takes into account the risks associated with AI. [3]
After setting the stage for further discussion in the UK, the baton was passed to South Korea where the second AI Summit was held in Seoul in 2024. With a prime focus on safety, innovation and inclusivity the summit affirmed the need to foster deeper international cooperation and dialogue on AI. This effort was manifested in the form of a policy paper named “Seoul Declaration for safe, innovative and inclusive AI”. [4]
The declaration at the forefront took multiple issues into consideration that demanded urgent attention from the state at the international level. Highlighting these issues the declaration stated, “We call for enhanced international cooperation to advance AI safety, innovation and inclusivity to harness human-centric AI to address the world’s greatest challenges, to protect and promote democratic values, the rule of law and human rights, fundamental freedoms and privacy, to bridge AI and digital divides between and within countries, thereby contributing to the advancement of human well-being, and to support practical applications of AI including to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals.” [5]
These two declarations have been of great importance in initiating and developing consensus among states to reach common grounds of discussion that can promote sustainable development of AI for the larger benefit. However, the existing circumstance continues to shape in unique ways due to the recent Chinese AI named DeepSeek that raises much concern dovetailing the emerging geopolitics due to changes in the technological domain.
Technology, Geopolitics and the China Factor
The world of technology is a domain of fierce competition where no stakeholder is permanent. The recent visit of Sam Altman the founder of OpenAI to India was at a time when the world was witnessing the rise of a new Chinese AI named DeepSeek founded by Liang Wenfeng back in 2023 but gaining popularity at the beginning of 2025. This has become the most downloaded application on the Apple store dethroning ChatGPT [6]
The fact that has come to the forefront is the cost-effective nature of DeepSeek when compared to ChatGPT which is claimed to have been made at a fraction of the cost when compared to OpenAI. [7] Unlike ChatGPT is built on a closed model, DeepSeek is built on Open Source nature where developers can freely modify the code without incurring any cost making more room for innovation and further customisation as per the need of the end user. The total cost of making the DeepSeek -V3 model is claimed to be $6 million which is abysmally low in comparison with ChatGPT’s billions of dollars in investment.
This issue can be perceived from the wider lens of techno-nationalism that has come to the forefront. The development of ‘open-sourced AI’ by China adds the leverage of bypassing the hitherto chip-based AI semiconductor where the strategic geopolitical advantage remained in the hands of the US which had long held the reins of this leverage due to export control, sanctions and other restrictions. This is likely to alter the dynamics of the US-China Chip War, a term popularised by the economic historian, Chris Miller. [8]
The Baton passes to India.
This summit came up with a policy paper named “Statement on Inclusive and Sustainable Artificial Intelligence for People and Planet”. [9] With a primary focus on the inclusive and sustainable nature of development in AI the broader goal is to promote the accessibility of AI and reduce the digital divide. Highlighting the importance of open-source AI the document aims to promote inclusivity, safety and trustworthiness in the development of AI. However, the declaration has received a blow because the UK and the US have refused to sign the declaration stating that the statement could not reach far enough for AI governance and the impact of technology on national security issues. [10]
However, amidst these complexities, India stands at an important juncture where it aspires to leverage the benefits of technology in which the application of AI plays an important role. France is a time-tested strategic partner of India which had been further strengthened with the Horizon 2047 vision signed in 2023 celebrating 25 years of India’s strategic partnership with France. AI is the new domain of collaboration with France where both international players can come together. In this regard, the two players have signed the India – France Declaration on Artificial Intelligence. The declaration states that “India and France, recalling the 2023 Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of digital technologies, and in view of the upcoming India-France Year of Innovation in 2026, will take part in the development of this emerging technology, and commit to ensure its positive impacts on their economies and societies.” [11] India is a major player in the emerging world order and it will use its best potential to leverage the benefits of AI. In this context, India will also chair the next summit of AI later this year.
Championing the cause of Global South by providing leadership and voice to them India has also placed at the forefront that AI should be an open source system. It advocated that AI should be ‘free from biases’ and should enhance trust and transparency to reduce the digital divide.
The AI revolution is definitely a new turning point in the history of humankind and will bring new opportunities and challenges like every other technological revolution in the past. History is a testimonial to the fact that technology and geopolitics are two aspects that shaped each other the early signs of which are already palpable in this AI revolution as well. Cooperation, sustainability and inclusive development are the keys through which players at the international level can navigate this new change.