French President Emmanuel Macron has announced a €109 billion investment in artificial intelligence, positioning France as a key player in global AI development. Speaking ahead of the Paris AI Summit, he emphasized the need for international regulation to ensure responsible innovation.
France is set to make one of its largest-ever investments in artificial intelligence, with President Emmanuel Macron confirming €109 billion in funding over the coming years. The announcement comes as France seeks to strengthen its AI sector while ensuring ethical and regulatory oversight at a global level.
In an interview at the Grand Palais, Macron compared the initiative to the U.S. government's Stargate project, highlighting that France’s AI ambitions are backed by international investment from the United Arab Emirates, American and Canadian firms, and French corporations. He also revealed that the UAE will construct a super data center as part of the effort.
Beyond financial commitments, Macron addressed the broader impact of AI. He downplayed fears of artificial intelligence replacing humans, instead calling it a tool for optimization. The real challenge, he said, lies in regulating generative AI models, which have rapidly expanded in scale and capability.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, speaking alongside Macron at the Global Partnership on AI meeting, stressed the urgent need for responsible AI development. He pointed to AI’s potential to destabilize democracies through misinformation and underscored the importance of clean energy sources for powering AI systems without hindering climate goals.
Macron echoed this sentiment, arguing that AI "must be regulated globally" rather than in isolated regions. He called on Europe to lead the way but emphasized that cooperation between governments and private companies is essential to prevent misuse.
As discussions continue at the Paris AI Summit, France’s commitment to AI governance and investment signals a major step toward shaping the future of global artificial intelligence policy.
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