Prime Highlights:
A UAE-based fund will invest between €30 billion and €50 billion to develop a new campus for data centers in France.
Macron compares France’s investment scale to the $500 billion Stargate project launched by former US President Donald Trump to enhance AI infrastructure.
Key Background:
France is poised to announce a landmark €109 billion ($113 billion) investment in artificial intelligence (AI) projects, signaling a significant commitment to advancing AI development and infrastructure in the country. This initiative, which encompasses funding from companies, investment funds, and other sources, was revealed by President Emmanuel Macron ahead of the highly anticipated two-day AI summit in Paris.
In an exclusive interview, Macron highlighted a previously disclosed investment between €30 billion and €50 billion from a UAE-based fund, designated for a new campus for data centers in France. He further emphasized additional funding set to flow from US and Canadian investment funds. Among these, Brookfield Asset Management stands out, as it announced plans to invest €20 billion over the next five years to expand AI and data center infrastructure in France. Macron also noted expected investments from leading French companies, including Iliad SA, Orange SA, and Thales SA.
Macron drew a parallel between the magnitude of France’s AI investments and the ambitious projects being pursued by other global leaders, such as former US President Donald Trump’s Stargate initiative. The US venture plans to invest $500 billion in AI infrastructure over the next four years, underscoring the competitive global race in AI development. The announcement comes just before the AI summit, which will gather heads of state and government, alongside influential business leaders like Guillaume Faury, CEO of Airbus SE. The summit aims to discuss AI’s future and ensure that Europe remains competitive in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
Macron underscored the importance of immediate and substantial investments, urging Europe to focus on innovation rather than regulation. He stressed that if Europe prioritizes regulation before innovation, it risks being left behind in the global AI race.
