12 APRIL-MAY 2025 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL Paris AI Summit Exposes Global Divides The AI Action Summit in Paris, cohosted by France and India on Feb. 10 and 11, brought together nearly 100 countries and more than 1,000 representatives to discuss the future of artificial intelligence. Instead of fostering unity, the event exposed divides over regulation, competition, and cooperation. The U.S. and U.K. refused to sign the AI Action Summit Declaration on inclusive and sustainable AI. U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance dismissed global regulation as restrictive, emphasizing American leadership and warning against AI partnerships with China. The U.K. echoed concerns over security but distanced itself from the U.S. position rejecting governance frameworks. French President Emmanuel Macron positioned Europe as an AI hub, pointing to its reliance on nuclear energy as an advantage. The European Commission pushed for balanced regulation, prioritizing sustainability and human rights. Meanwhile, AI safety remained a top concern, with experts warning of risks. However, global competition overshadowed discussions of regulation. A major announcement was the launch of Current AI, a $400 million initiative backed by France, Google, and various philanthropists, aimed at developing ethical AI models. China, represented by Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing, sought collaboration on AI security, while Chinese firms like DeepSeek showcased advancements that rival Western models. News of Elon Musk’s $100 billion bid to take over OpenAI sparked speculation about AI’s future governance. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman dismissed the offer, saying that OpenAI was “not for sale” and playfully suggesting they could buy Twitter instead. With competition intensifying and regulatory frameworks in flux, the debate will continue when India hosts the next AI summit. EducationUSA Stalled by Policy Shifts State Department employees advising international students on U.S. higher education opportunities are struggling with unclear federal guidance. EducationUSA, a State Department initiative operating in 175 countries, helps recruit students to U.S. institutions. However, in the wake of a Trump administration executive order on diversity-related language, EducationUSA staffers have received conflicting directives on how to discuss or promote their programs. Initially, a now-rescinded internal document titled “EducationUSA Messaging Guidance: America First” advised employees to avoid terms like “diversity,” “underrepresented,” and “minority.” The lack of clarity has left staff uncertain about how to conduct outreach, potentially affecting international student recruitment. International students contribute billions of dollars to the U.S. economy, with more than 1.1 million students enrolled in 2024 alone, according to EducationUSA. The confusion over messaging could hurt enrollment decisions, particularly among students from underrepresented backgrounds. Fulbright Scholars Stranded Worldwide The funding freeze has hit participants in one of the most wellknown and prestigious U.S. government programs, leaving both U.S. and international Fulbright scholars and grant recipients stranded abroad and in the U.S. without enough money to pay their bills or return home. In an email, the nonprofit Fulbright Association informed Fulbright alumni that the funding freeze has hit “over 12,500 American students, youth, and professionals currently abroad or scheduled to participate in State Department programs in the next six months.” An additional 7,400 international students also lost their funding. Administered by the State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), the Fulbright program was created in 1946 and has The tools of foreign policy, as I’ve learned, are defense, diplomacy, and development. And the development part is the soft power. We’re not sending troops into Asia and Africa and Latin America. We’re sending hundreds of thousands of civilians without uniforms, who are there to represent the United States, and to pursue common goals together— whether it’s stemming the tide of fentanyl coming across the border, addressing climate disasters, protecting the world from disease. And that soft power is a reflection of our values, what we stand for—our strong belief in freedom, self-determination, and advancement of people’s economies; bringing more stability and peace to the world. —Atul Gawande, former assistant administrator for global health at USAID, to The New Yorker on March 15. Contemporary Quote (Continued on page 14)
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