France Invests Billions in Artificial Intelligence to Lead Europe
In a bold move, France has committed to investing billions of euros in artificial intelligence (AI) to position itself as a leader in this cutting-edge technology within Europe. President Emmanuel Macron expressed his vision for France and Europe to excel in AI during a statement in 2018. This commitment is now being backed by concrete governmental initiatives.
Financially, France has dedicated a substantial 4 billion euros to AI. This decision followed a comprehensive report by Fields medalist Cédric Villani and subsequent implementation of the National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence (NSAI), which is divided into two phases lasting until 2025. Additionally, President Macron recently announced a budget of 500 million euros solely for the development of AI.
Technologically, France has unveiled the Jean Zay supercomputer which combines high-performance computing with AI. This impressive machine now boasts a processing speed of 37 million billion operations per second.
Recognizing the importance of attracting talent and fostering research and education, France has initiated a national research program coordinated by the National Institute for Research in Digital Science and Technology (Inria) to position itself as an AI research hub.
Ethical considerations in AI are also crucial to France, particularly regarding the use of personal data. The data protection authority, the National Commission on Informatics and Liberty (CNIL), is actively involved in discussions around generative AI and deep learning, aiming to ensure compliance with regulations and data minimization throughout the AI creation process.
However, France’s plans for AI may face challenges due to the ongoing debate surrounding European regulations. The European Parliament and the Council of the European Union have proposed the AI Act to regulate AI and adapt civil liability rules accordingly. This proposal employs risk-based regulation, which some fear may impose overly burdensome obligations and hinder innovation.
Thierry Breton, the French Commissioner for the Internal Market of the European Union, has staunchly defended the proposed regulatory scheme. He believes that no companies would leave the EU market, as it is the largest digital market, thus welcoming all participants.
President Macron, addressing concerns about the rigidity of the proposed AI Act, emphasized the need to prioritize research, innovation, and ecosystem development alongside regulation. Macron warned against creating excessive rigidity that could impede innovation and hinder Europe’s competitiveness compared to the United States and China.
The EU trilogue period, involving discussions between representatives of the EU Parliament, the EU Council, and the EU Commission, began in June with the goal of reaching an agreement by the year’s end. However, the provisions under consideration will not take effect until 2025 or 2026, providing ample time for actors to adapt to their new obligations.
In France, a legislative proposal to regulate AI through copyright protection was recently proposed on September 12.
These ongoing discussions in both France and the EU offer an opportunity for all stakeholders to share their perspectives and influence the outcome of future AI regulations. It is imperative to closely follow these developments to understand the implications they will have on the AI landscape.
With France’s resolute commitment to invest in AI and lead the way in Europe, the nation is poised to shape the future of artificial intelligence while navigating the evolving regulatory frameworks within the European Union.
