PARIS – French President Emmanuel Macron has made a strong appeal to artificial intelligence (AI) firms to prioritize France and Europe for AI development, as he closed the first day of the AI Action Summit in Paris.
Speaking at the two-day event, which brings together global leaders and tech executives, Macron emphasized France’s commitment to AI innovation, sustainability, and smart regulation.
“It’s why you have to choose Europe and France for AI,” Macron said, urging major firms such as Google and OpenAI to see France as a competitive alternative to the United States and the United Kingdom in AI development and infrastructure.
The summit, viewed as a crucial moment for global AI leadership, comes amid increased competition among nations to establish themselves as hubs for AI advancement. It follows recent disruptions in the sector, including Chinese app DeepSeek’s emergence as a formidable force, which some experts believe has created a power vacuum in the industry.
France’s AI Pitch and Investment Plans
Macron highlighted several factors that make France an attractive destination for AI firms, including the country’s energy infrastructure. He pointed to France’s extensive nuclear energy capacity, which he said could sustainably power AI’s data-hungry demands.
“In this world, where I have a friend on the other side of the ocean who says, ‘drill, baby, drill’—here there is no need to drill. It’s just ‘plug, baby, plug’. Electricity is available. You can plug. It’s ready,” Macron remarked, in what was seen as a veiled reference to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s energy policies.
As part of France’s push for AI leadership, Macron announced approximately £91 billion in investment for French AI projects over the coming years. He also hinted at an upcoming European Union AI strategy that will focus on regulatory frameworks and investment in computing capacity, with further details expected to be unveiled on Tuesday.
UK and Global Competition for AI Dominance
The AI Action Summit has drawn participation from several world leaders and top executives from major tech firms. Among them is UK Technology Secretary Peter Kyle, who is making his own case for Britain’s AI ambitions.
Kyle is promoting the UK’s newly released AI Opportunities Action Plan, which outlines a multi-billion-pound investment strategy aimed at enhancing AI infrastructure and increasing AI deployment in the public sector.
Ahead of the summit, Kyle stated that he would use the plan as a key message to foreign investors in order to “cement our position as an AI pioneer.”
However, Macron used his platform as host to shift focus to France and Europe, highlighting European regulatory policies that aim to “defend copyright” and “preserve human creativity.”
Global AI Regulation and Future Discussions
The second day of the summit is expected to see world leaders engage in high-level discussions on the future of AI, focusing on critical issues such as sustainability, safety, and governance. A new signed declaration on AI regulation and development is anticipated by the summit’s conclusion.
Closing his address, Macron reiterated his enthusiasm for France’s AI ambitions: “Long live AI, long live the Republic, and long live France.”
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
