French President Emmanuel Macron has unveiled a €109 billion ($112 billion) investment plan in artificial intelligence (AI), positioning France as a key player in the global AI race. The announcement, made ahead of the 3rd AI Action Summit in Paris, marks a significant countermove to the U.S.’s $500 billion ‘Stargate’ project, a joint venture between OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank. Macron’s initiative aims to bolster France’s AI ecosystem through international collaboration, infrastructure development, and workforce training, potentially redefining Europe’s role in the tech sector.
The Global AI Race Intensifies
Macron’s investment comes just weeks after the U.S. introduced the Stargate project, which focuses on building multiple AI data centers across the country over the next four years. The French president emphasized the strategic importance of Europe keeping pace with global AI developments. “Europe is going to speed up, France is going to speed up,” Macron declared in a TV interview, highlighting the need for international cooperation and regulation in AI.
The investment is also a continuation of France’s efforts to establish itself as an AI hub. Since 2019, Macron has been actively promoting the country as a center for AI innovation, with previous initiatives including a €5 billion fund to support homegrown tech companies.
€109 billion of investments will be confirmed for France for the years to come. We have assets. Choose Europe, choose France! pic.twitter.com/oa0T5ZiSsr
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) February 10, 2025
Funding Sources and Strategic Partnerships
The €109 billion package includes contributions from a diverse range of international and local investors:
| Investor | Contribution |
|---|---|
| United Arab Emirates (MGX) | €30B–€50B |
| Brookfield (Canada) | €20B |
| Bpifrance | €10B |
| Iliad (France) | €3B |
| Orange, Thales | TBA |
The UAE’s contribution will fund a one-gigawatt AI data center as part of a broader tech development campus in France. Macron highlighted the importance of international collaboration, noting that France’s energy landscape—powered by nuclear energy—makes it an attractive location for power-hungry AI data centers.
A New Paris-Based Institution
The upcoming AI Action Summit, co-chaired with India, will see the announcement of a Paris-based institution aimed at diversifying the AI ecosystem through infrastructure investments. The summit will bring together over 1,000 participants from more than 80 countries, including world leaders like Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and tech executives from Microsoft, OpenAI, and Google. Discussions will focus on ethical, political, and economic challenges surrounding AI, as well as simplifying European regulations to accelerate AI development.
Workforce Training and Startup Support
France’s investment plan also includes ambitious goals for workforce development, aiming to train up to 100,000 young professionals in AI-related fields—more than double the current figures. Macron emphasized the importance of ensuring AI serves as an assistant rather than a replacement for human jobs.
The initiative also seeks to support AI startups, many of which have relocated to the U.S. in recent years. Macron pointed to DeepSeek as an example of a successful company that has adopted a frugal approach to AI development, using innovations from OpenAI models to create its own efficient systems.
France’s Energy Advantage
France’s nuclear energy supply is a significant asset in attracting AI-related investments. The country produces some of the most decarbonized, controllable, and safe electricity in the world, with an oversupply that allows for export to neighboring countries. Macron noted that France exported 90TWh of electricity in 2024, making it an ideal location for power-intensive AI data centers.
Expert Opinions and Future Prospects
Experts have mixed views on France’s investment. Victor Riparbelli, CEO of British AI startup Synthesia, welcomed the plan as a positive step for Europe but cautioned that more is needed to compete with the U.S. and China. Mike Capone, CEO of U.S. software firm Qlik, noted the potential for an AI bubble due to massive spending on computing infrastructure but acknowledged the strategic importance of AI diplomacy.
As the global AI race intensifies, Macron’s €109 billion investment could redefine Europe’s role in the tech sector. By leveraging international partnerships, energy advantages, and a focus on workforce development, France aims to position itself as a leader in AI innovation—a counterstrike to the U.S.’s Stargate project that could reshape the global AI landscape.
