French President Emmanuel Macron calls for development and action to make France an undisputed leader in AI. The president emphasized the development of French-style artificial intelligence with five priorities and 5 steps.
Avec nos talents français de l’intelligence artificielle… Il « IA » de l’avenir en France !
Le moment est décisif en la matière, c’est pourquoi hier devant nos acteurs, j’ai appelé à la mobilisation et à l’action : nous pouvons faire de la France un leader incontesté de l’IA.…
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) May 22, 2024
French President establishes steps to develop AI
First, is the doubling of the French talent in the country. The country aims to incorporate AI in the courses and syllabus of universities and schools. This aims to train the youth and increase their skills with the usage of AI.
“Before the end of the year, each research organization must propose mobilizing its resources for interdisciplinary research based on AI.”
The government is set to release additional funds worth 400 million euros to finance 9 centres of excellence throughout France and bring in the best researchers to develop the industry in the country.
Second, is the incorporation of infrastructure in the country. the country will develop infrastructure and centres of excellence in the country to localise the industry. They promise to develop a strategy to attract private players to the entire value chain.
“We will develop a strategy to attract private players to attract the entire value chain: from semiconductors to data centres, including the cloud.”
Third, A new ecosystem is being created to support the least well-funded sectors related to AI.
“A public investment shock, among Europeans, must also be put in place, to at least double the financial capacity of the Union and make AI one of the major common priorities.”
Fourth, a new ecosystem to make it available for everyone is going to be established. The new system will make AI available for all citizens in all territories. The president also encouraged state and public services to take advantage of it.
They also made it a mission to establish ‘AI Cafes’ to acculturate citizens to AI.
“In middle school, training in the informed appropriation of AI from the 6th grade will be provided. In companies, guides on the use of AI will be designed so that they have a clear vision of the solutions available and that a social debate on these questions is initiated.”
Fifth, is the implementation of the AI Act, a framework to create a fair business model for all stakeholders. They also plan to create a governance model to protect all its citizens.
“At the global level, France has a central role by hosting the AI Action Summit in February 2025.
This summit will allow States, international organizations, companies, start-ups, the academic world and civil society to present concrete solutions to provide access to the AI revolution, in all areas, in a secure manner.”
France’s AI revolution
France for years has been leading in AI development. In 2018, the French President Emmanuel Macron unveiled an ambitious 1.5 billion euros plan to make France a leader.
This major investment has made a notable impact on the artificial intelligence ecosystem in France, with a number of high-profile startups being founded over the past ten years in the country. From conversational AI firm, Levia, to heart screening startup, Cardiologs, and fraud detection enterprise, Shift Technology.
However, the technology is revolutionising everything from voice acting to analysing scripts and coming up with a budget, to creating mock-ups of scenes before you even pick up a camera.
By nurturing an environment that encourages collaboration between startups, research institutions, and established companies, France is well-positioned to become a leader in artificial intelligence innovation.
