AI Action Summit in Paris

The third edition of the AI Action Summit is set to take place in Paris, France, with Indian Prime Minister  co-chairing the event. This summit follows previous editions held in the UK in 2023 and South Korea in 2022, focusing on global AI governance amid the growing influence of China's AI model, DeepSeek.

Objectives of the Summit

• Provide access to independent, safe, and reliable AI to a broad range of users.
• Develop environmentally friendly AI technologies.
• Ensure effective and inclusive global governance of AI.

Key Themes

• Public service AI.
• Future of work.
• Innovation and culture.
• Trust in AI.
• Global governance of AI.

The Rise of DeepSeek

DeepSeek, a low-cost AI model from China, has challenged traditional US dominance in AI. Despite limited hardware due to sanctions, it was trained at a cost of $6 million, significantly lower than competitors like OpenAI. Its open-source nature allows for broader development and poses a competitive challenge to established players.

Global Impact

• DeepSeek demonstrates the feasibility of creating advanced models without top-tier resources.
• Countries like France and India see DeepSeek as an inspiration for developing their own AI models.

India’s Strategic Response

The Second India-France AI Policy Roundtable is scheduled during the Summit, aiming to explore global AI development and synergy between India and France. India plans to enhance its AI capabilities through the IndiaAI Mission, focusing on building a domestic large language model (LLM).

IndiaAI Mission Details

• The government aims to procure 18,693 GPUs for foundational model development.
• Calls for proposals to build diverse AI models reflecting Indian context and addressing specific challenges.
• Funding strategies include direct financial support and equity-based funding.
• Intellectual property will be retained by the developer, with perpetual government licenses for public use.

Global Regulatory Approaches

Regulatory scrutiny of AI is intensifying worldwide, with diverse approaches:

• The EU proposes strict regulations based on AI use case risk levels.
• The UK adopts a lenient, innovation-friendly approach.
• The US maintains a balanced stance between regulation and deregulation.
• China has introduced its own regulatory measures.
• India emphasizes overcoming social media weaponization and fostering safety and trust in AI technologies.

The summit and subsequent discussions highlight the evolving landscape of AI, with geopolitical, economic, and technological factors shaping its future trajectory.