PARIS — Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, X, and SpaceX, has announced that he will not be attending the French Summit on Artificial Intelligence, which commenced this Monday morning in Paris. Musk conveyed his absence via a post on X, stating that he is engaged in “critical work in Washington, DC,” but expressed his willingness to participate remotely through a video link.
Notable attendees at the summit
The summit has attracted a range of high-profile leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, U.S. Vice President JD Vance, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Vance and von der Leyen are scheduled to deliver speeches on Tuesday, further emphasizing the event’s significance in the global discourse on AI.
Implications of Musk’s absence
Musk’s decision not to attend raises questions about the impact of his absence on discussions at the summit, particularly given his influential role in the tech industry and his outspoken views on artificial intelligence. The idea of remote participation reflects a growing trend where leaders can still engage with critical global issues without being physically present.
“I am currently engaged in critical work in Washington DC,”
he noted, underlining the demands of his various business ventures. As discussions unfold, observers will be keen to see how the summit’s outcomes evolve in light of the diverse array of perspectives brought by the attending dignitaries.