The U.S. delegation attending the Artificial Intelligence Summit in Paris will not include technical staff from the AI Safety Institute, according to sources familiar with Washington’s plans.
The event, scheduled for February 10-11, will bring together representatives from nearly 100 countries to discuss the potential and risks of AI. Leading the U.S. delegation will be Vice President JD Vance, along with key officials from the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP).
AI Safety Institute Left Out of U.S. Delegation
The AI Safety Institute, established under former President Joe Biden, was designed to assess and mitigate AI-related risks. The organization has collaborated with OpenAI and Anthropic for safety testing and claims to be a bipartisan entity.
- Despite its role, the institute’s representatives will not attend the summit.
- The Commerce and Homeland Security departments, initially expected to participate, have also withdrawn.
- Officials familiar with the decision suggested the absence reflects ongoing transitions within the Commerce Department following President Donald Trump’s January 20 inauguration.
The AI Safety Institute, Commerce Department, and Homeland Security have not commented on the decision.
U.S. Focus on AI Innovation Amid Global Competition
The International Network of AI Safety Institutes, a global initiative chaired by the United States, is expected to have a presence at the summit. While the AI Safety Institute itself is not attending, U.S. delegates may still participate in discussions on AI safety and regulation.
- The Paris summit is expected to be less focused on AI risks than previous events in Bletchley Park and Seoul.
- Some industry leaders believe the concerns over AI safety threats are overstated.
- The U.S. remains committed to leading in AI innovation, especially amid China’s rapid advancements in artificial intelligence.
Uncertain Future for the AI Safety Institute
The future of the AI Safety Institute remains unclear under the Trump administration, which has already revoked a prior AI executive order linked to Biden’s policies.
While the institute was originally designed to shape AI regulations and safety frameworks, its long-term role in Washington’s AI strategy is now uncertain.
