On the first day of the Paris Artificial Intelligence Summit, held at the Grand Palais, France announced an ambitious plan: a budget of 109 billion euros in investments in artificial intelligence (AI) for the coming years. These investments, supported by leading international players, aim to make France a global leader in AI and digital technologies. The event, highlighted by President Emmanuel Macron’s speech, underscores ongoing efforts to enhance the country’s attractiveness in a highly competitive sector.
A global partnership for large-scale projects
These 109 billion euros come from a set of international partnerships with companies such as Amazon, Appolo, Fluidstack, Evroc, and the Emirati fund MGX. Emmanuel Macron emphasized that these investments are part of a strategic framework aimed at attracting cutting-edge companies to France through modern infrastructure, decarbonized energy, and a pool of skilled talent.
The agreement with the United Arab Emirates, representing 50 billion euros, includes the creation of an AI campus, which will become the largest in Europe, equipped with a data center with a computing power of one gigawatt. The location of this campus will be announced in May during the next Choose France summit.
Concrete projects to accelerate digital sovereignty
Supercomputer and data centers
Among the major initiatives, the British Fluidstack is investing 10 billion euros in the construction of a 10-megawatt supercomputer, scheduled for 2026. This project promises to accelerate innovation, enhance France’s digital sovereignty, and create thousands of skilled jobs in the region.
On its part, Amazon plans to invest six billion euros in the development of data centers and cloud infrastructure, while Digital Realty commits five billion to deploy new data centers in Marseille and the Paris region, with a possible additional billion in Paris.
Investments in energy and infrastructure
The American fund Appolo allocates five billion dollars to energy connectivity projects, essential for supporting the growth of digital infrastructure. At the same time, the Swedish group Evroc plans up to four billion euros for projects including an AI factory in Mougins (Alpes-Maritimes).
French players such as Mistral AI, Sesterce, and Iliad are also participating in the effort, with investments reaching three billion euros. The company Eclairon, already active in the supercomputer field, is continuing its expansion with a new site in Bessé-sur-Braye (Sarthe).
A strategy for attractiveness and training
For Emmanuel Macron, these announcements are the result of years of work to improve France’s attractiveness. The country is betting on assets such as the training of specialized talents, the availability of 35 sites ready to host technology companies, and access to decarbonized energy. These investments are part of a long-term vision to make France a European and global leader in AI.
The president stated in a speech delivered in English: “France is definitely in the race, and this is just the beginning of the adventure.” An ambition supported by innovative infrastructures and an investment policy that, according to him, places France on equal footing with major powers like the United States and China.
An international commitment and a European vision
In addition to international partnerships, France also asserts its desire to play a central role in Europe. The AI campus planned as part of the agreement with the United Arab Emirates will become a continental reference. With colossal investments in data storage, cloud infrastructure, and supercomputers, the country aims to enhance its digital sovereignty while contributing to the development of the European ecosystem.
A turning point for AI in France
With this budget of 109 billion euros, France positions itself as a major player in artificial intelligence. This ambitious plan, supported by international and local companies, marks a decisive turning point in the country’s digital strategy. Iconic projects, such as Fluidstack’s supercomputer or the AI campus, testify to the commitment of the government and partners to make France a top destination for technological innovation. The future of AI in France looks promising, and this momentum could inspire other European countries to follow the same path.
