PARIS, France—Vice President JD Vance, speaking at a major Artificial Intelligence (AI) summit in the French capital, has urged European leaders to oppose heavy-handed regulations, warning that restrictive policies would “not only unfairly benefit incumbents in the space, it would mean paralyzing one of the most promising technologies we have seen in generations.”
Addressing the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit, Vance pressed for an approach that prioritizes innovation over bureaucracy, taking particular aim at the EU’s Digital Markets Act and Digital Services Act, calling them “onerous international rules” that have hampered progress and imposed unnecessary obstacles on American firms.
His comments come amid growing concerns from European AI companies, many of whom argue that Brussels’ regulatory stance is stifling the industry, with the speech (below) focusing on maintaining America’s world leadership in the industry, red-tape, opposition to political bias and censorship, and how AI can help ordinary American workers.
“I like to see that deregulatory flavor making its way into a lot of conversations,” he said. French President Emmanuel Macron has positioned the summit as a moment to focus on AI’s opportunities rather than on regulatory issues.
The Vice President also sounded the alarm on China’s AI ambitions, warning of “hostile foreign adversaries” using artificial intelligence to manipulate narratives and suppress dissent.
“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. “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.”
WATCH:
JD Vance with a banger of a speech on AI policy and the innovation economy. Too many great lines to quote here. Watch the whole thing https://t.co/w5MKbnWi0g
— Lachlan Markay (@lachlan) February 11, 2025
