US Vice President JD Vance cautioned European leaders on Tuesday about the potential risks of excessive artificial intelligence (AI) regulation, arguing that stringent policies could stifle innovation. 

Speaking at a Paris AI summit attended by global CEOs and political leaders, Vance criticized European regulatory frameworks and reiterated the US commitment to fostering an open and competitive AI industry.

According to a report from Reuters, Vance specifically pointed to the European Union’s Digital Services Act and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), calling them "massive regulations" that impose heavy compliance burdens on businesses. 

"We believe that excessive regulation of the AI sector could kill a transformative industry," Vance stated, emphasizing that AI should remain free from "ideological bias" and not be used as a tool for "authoritarian censorship."

His remarks come amid growing divergence between the US and Europe on AI governance. While the EU has implemented the world’s first comprehensive AI law—the AI Act—the United States has largely resisted broad regulatory measures, favoring a market-driven approach. Vance’s comments reaffirm the Trump administration’s “America First” policy, which prioritizes maintaining U.S. dominance in AI development.‍

US, UK Abstain from AI Summit Declaration

Further underscoring the policy gap, the US and the UK notably did not sign the final declaration of the French-hosted AI summit, which called for AI to be "inclusive, open, ethical, and safe." 

More than 60 countries, including China, endorsed the statement, signaling a divide in global AI governance strategies. Neither the US nor the UK provided an immediate explanation for their absence from the declaration.

French President Emmanuel Macron acknowledged the need to streamline regulations but defended oversight as essential to fostering trust in AI. "We need a trustworthy AI," Macron told attendees, adding that excessive restrictions could deter innovation. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen echoed similar sentiments, stating that the EU would seek to balance regulation with investment in AI.‍

Global AI Competition

Vance also issued a veiled warning about China’s growing influence in AI. His remarks followed concerns over DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup that recently released a powerful reasoning model, reportedly challenging US technological leadership. Although Vance did not mention DeepSeek by name, he referenced past concerns about China’s role in global technology infrastructure. "Partnering with [authoritarian regimes] means chaining your nation to an authoritarian master that seeks to infiltrate, dig in, and seize your information infrastructure," he warned.

While there is no direct evidence linking DeepSeek’s technology to Chinese government oversight, some government organizations have restricted its use due to potential security concerns. Meanwhile, the release of DeepSeek’s model impacted U.S. markets, with Nvidia’s stock dropping by 17% following its debut.