French President Emmanuel Macron has kicked off a major push for artificial intelligence (AI) development at the Paris AI Summit, which is taking place from February 6 to February 11. The event, blending science, economics, geopolitics, and culture, will wrap up with an international summit on February 10-11. Macron’s goal is clear: France must compete with the US and China, who dominate the AI race.
In a TV interview on February 9, ahead of the summit, Macron unveiled a massive investment plan: €109 billion for AI development in France. This is France’s answer to the US’s $500 billion Stargate program, launched by President Trump. World leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, US Vice President JD Vance, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, were expected to attend, alongside tech moguls like OpenAI’s Sam Altman, Microsoft’s Brad Smith, and Google’s Sundar Pichai.
Macron revealed that between €30 billion and €50 billion of the investment would come from MGX, a UAE tech fund. The plan includes an AI data center, which will require significant energy—something France can provide thanks to its nuclear power infrastructure. “France is leading Europe in AI,” Macron proudly declared, referring to France’s position as the top destination for AI-related foreign investments in Europe.
In 2018, Macron launched the “Villani Mission,” a strategy aimed at boosting AI in France. It’s already paying off—France is now ranked 5th globally in AI development, outpacing some larger economies. The country has also established 35 AI research centers in partnership with sectors like energy and transport.
The Canadian firm Brookfield Asset Management recently committed to investing €20 billion in France by 2030, with €15 billion dedicated to building data centers. Brookfield’s European director, Sikander Rashid, praised France’s engineering expertise, noting that the country is now Europe’s top location for AI infrastructure.
Macron is keen on international regulation for AI, but with caution. He emphasized the need for collaboration between public and private sectors, ensuring transparency and ethical AI use. Addressing concerns about AI-generated misinformation, he showcased a deepfake video of himself on Instagram, humorously acknowledging the technology’s capabilities. “We need to talk seriously about AI’s potential,” he said, highlighting its transformative effects on sectors like healthcare and energy.
Macron concluded by asserting that France and Europe must be at the forefront of the AI revolution, ensuring that their values shape its development. In December 2024, Europe’s innovation ecosystem urged the removal of barriers to private funding, pointing to China’s AI advances as a growing challenge. A European Commission report also revealed that the EU is far behind in meeting its 2030 AI targets.
