French President Emmanuel Macron recently attended Viva Tech, the country’s premier technology event, where he expressed France’s commitment to investing heavily in artificial intelligence (AI)
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France is positioning itself as Europe’s leading AI hub and is determined to accelerate its efforts in this field, according to French President Emmanuel Macron in an interview with CNBC’s Karen Tso.
As AI is considered a revolutionary technology with strategic importance, countries around the world are vying to establish themselves as AI leaders. However, the competition is not just limited to technological advancements, as it forms part of the larger technology battle between China and the US.
One of the factors fueling the hype around AI is the success of OpenAI’s ChatGPT chatbot, which has gained significant attention.
At the annual Viva Tech conference in France, AI was at the center of discussions and presentations, attracting interest from startups, established technology firms, and industries ranging from cosmetics to banking.
French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire and Digital Minister Jean-Noel Barrot also attended the event, demonstrating the government’s support for France’s tech sector.
Macron emphasized the French government’s commitment to investing greatly in AI through training and research. He cited France’s access to talent and the rapidly growing number of startups as advantages that position the country well in the AI arena.
Though the US is currently seen as the leader in AI, France aims to catch up by increasing investments and development in the field.
While Anton Dahbura, Co-Director of the Johns Hopkins Institute for Assured Autonomy, acknowledges France’s chance at becoming the AI leader in Europe, he also highlights the competition posed by Germany and the UK.
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has also made a pitch for Britain to become a global AI center.
Dahbura suggests that for France to succeed, it should leverage its existing strengths, such as manufacturing and pharmaceuticals, and heavily invest in AI to gain a competitive edge.
French A.I. companies in focus
While US companies like Microsoft and Nvidia dominate the AI landscape, France aims to create two or three major global players in this technology, as stated by Macron.
France is placing its trust in startups to quickly grow and become significant contributors to the AI sector. For instance, recent French startup Mistral AI raised 105 million euros in funding, highlighting the potential and excitement surrounding AI developments. Several other local startups showcased their innovations at Viva Tech.
France’s ambition to become an AI hub extends to its focus on AI regulation. The European Parliament has approved the EU AI Act, a groundbreaking regulation that takes a risk-based approach to AI across the EU. Although not yet law, this act has provoked discussion, particularly around the strict provisions regarding generative AI, which powers ChatGPT developed by OpenAI.
France, known for advocating strong technology regulation, has expressed concerns about certain aspects of the EU AI Act related to generative AI.
France aims to collaborate with the US, the UK, and organizations like the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development to establish global AI regulation that incorporates the interests of all stakeholders.
In France’s perspective, the US is both a competitor and a collaborator. French and European companies aim to challenge US giants like Microsoft and Google, but international cooperation, including the US’s involvement, is essential for shaping global AI regulation.
French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire emphasizes the importance of fair competition and cooperation between the US and Europe in AI development, as well as the necessity for comprehensive discussions on AI regulation with American authorities.
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