US Urges G20 to Adopt Hands Off Approach to AI Regulation

The United States has called on G20 members to avoid creating new AI regulations and instead adopt a hands off approach. During a G20 Innovation Ministerial meeting in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, US tech adviser Michael Kratsios urged countries to follow the Carolina Principles. This framework suggests that governments should apply existing regulatory frameworks where possible and focus new rules only on novel situations involving AI, rather than treating every emerging technology as a first of its kind policy problem. Kratsios stated that China signed the principles, although a copy of the document was not provided and the Chinese embassy did not immediately comment.

Industry leaders also addressed the meeting with varying priorities. Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis called for the establishment of safety tests for AI systems. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg urged countries not to restrict open weight AI models. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk criticized European Union technology regulations, arguing that such policies inhibit progress for companies. He also encouraged countries outside China to develop new energy sources for data centers.

The debate reflects a broader geopolitical contest for technological influence. The US aims to export its AI systems and standards, while the EU promotes its regulatory approach through the AI Act. China advocates for multilateral AI governance and stronger safety rules. Washington has increasingly linked AI cooperation to its strategic competition with Beijing, suggesting that the G20 debate may determine which power bloc sets the global rules for AI.