Keir Starmer has faced high criticism for not attending the event, which was described on 6 February by the BBC as a platform in which global powers will measure up their AI capabilities.
Global Summits aren’t just for the official meeting, but also they are where the real diplomacy takes place.
Global Summits aren’t just for the official meeting, but also they are where the real diplomacy takes place. Some of the huge breakthroughs, like the 2018 Trump-Xi trade truce or unexpected US-China climate cooperation at COP26, came from informal conversations. Even at Yalta in 1945, an easy-going moment between leaders helped shape the post-war world. If Starmer skips such events, he risks missing important opportunities to build relationships and influence the decisions. Not just this but also sends the wrong narrative to the event industry which adds billions to the economy.
Not attending the event shows that the UK’s PM was not prioritizing the AI Summit at the highest level. However, there are various downsides to the Prime Minister’s not attending the AI Action Summit. AI regulation and ethics are shaped in these meetings and events. Without the UK leadership in the event, other nations may dominate the discussions and can set the frameworks. The other downside is that the UK’s AI sector relies on international collaboration and investment.
If the global investors see that the UK’s PM is absent it may question the government’s commitment to supporting AI innovation. Not only this, but the also UK risks of losing visibility and potential partnerships, whereas, other countries promote their AI ecosystems.
Without stronger leadership, the UK risks being left behind while others set the agenda.
While the UK has strong AI research institutions and hosted its own AI Safety Summit in 2023, it must stay engaged to remain competitive. It is obvious, that the countries who are shaping AI policies today will dictate the future of the industry. The absence of the UK’s PM risks losing investments, talent, and global influence. AI is not a passing trend- it’s defining the forceful energy of the future. Without stronger leadership, the UK risks being left behind while others set the agenda.