French President Emmanuel Macron has unveiled a substantial investment plan aimed at positioning France at the forefront of artificial intelligence (AI) innovation. Announced on Sunday night, the initiative will channel a total of 109 billion euros (approximately $112 billion) into AI over the coming years.
During a televised interview on France 2, Macron likened the investment to the United States' 'Stargate' program, emphasizing its significance for France's technological advancement.
The funding will be sourced from a diverse group of investors, including the United Arab Emirates, major American and Canadian investment funds, as well as prominent French companies. This collaborative effort underscores the global commitment to advancing AI technology.
Addressing concerns related to China's DeepSeek, Macron clarified that France has no intentions of banning the technology. \"I do not think it's appropriate to ban a technology because of its country of origin,\" he stated, highlighting France's stance of evaluating technologies based on their merits rather than their origins.
In alignment with this ambitious investment, France is set to host the AI Action Summit in Paris on February 10 and 11. The summit will explore five key themes: public interest AI, the future of work, innovation and culture, trust in AI, and global AI governance.
The event is expected to attract representatives from nearly 100 countries, along with over 1,000 stakeholders from the private sector and civil society. Participants have been selected for their dedication to AI development and their commitment to shaping the future of this transformative technology.
