In a bold move to position France at the forefront of artificial intelligence, President Emmanuel Macron announced a staggering €109 billion (approximately $112 billion) investment in AI over the next few years.
Speaking during a televised interview on France 2, Macron likened the investment to the United States' 'Stargate' initiative, emphasizing its significance for France's technological landscape.
The funding for this ambitious project will be sourced from the United Arab Emirates, major American and Canadian investment funds, as well as leading French companies, highlighting a strong international collaboration.
Addressing the rising concerns surrounding China's DeepSeek technology, Macron stated that France currently has no plans to impose a ban. \"I do not think it's appropriate to ban a technology because of its country of origin,\" he remarked, differentiating France's approach from the U.S. stance on technology restrictions based on nationality.
As part of its commitment to advancing AI, 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.
Organizers anticipate participation from representatives of nearly 100 countries and over 1,000 stakeholders from the private sector and civil society. The summit aims to foster meaningful dialogue and collaboration among those dedicated to shaping the future of AI on a global scale.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
