AI race must be led by ‘western, liberal, democratic’ countries, says UK minister

Peter Kyle said AI would have an impact on every part of the economy and society, including national security and defence. Photograph: Linda Nylind/The Guardian

The artificial intelligence race must be led by “western, liberal, democratic” countries, said the UK technology secretary in a veiled warning over China’s role in the contest, before a global AI summit in Paris.

Peter Kyle spoke as political leaders and tech company bosses gather in France, and after the emergence of a new Chinese force in AI, DeepSeek, rattled US investors and upended assumptions about Silicon Valley’s leadership in the technology.