Sam Altman, CEO of Openai, speaks with French President Emmanuel Macron at Station F, during an event on the sidelines of the summit of the action of artificial intelligence in Paris, France, February 11, 2025.
Aurelen Morissard | Via Reuters
PARIS – Music was skyrocketed and people applauded on Monday at the top of the action of artificial intelligence in Paris while French president Emmanuel Macron said that France was “back in the AI race”.
The bold call comes after Macron praised an investment of 109 billion euros (112.8 billion dollars) in AI in the country. But this also underlines the desire of Europe, led by France, to be part of the conversation around the leadership and innovation of the AI which has so far been dominated by the United States and China .
Last month, the announcement of Stargate of $ 500 billion in America made the headlines of the world newspapers, followed by the Deepseek IA model, which sent shock waves on the financial markets and highlighted the China’s ability to stay for American innovation.
Europe has long been considered by its criticisms as a place that has regulated the technological industry too strongly to the detriment of innovation.
Although this image has not been fully modified, there are in the technological industry who think that Europe is evolving in the right direction.
“As a European region, at least, we are starting to see the world leaders emerging, and this is the thing we really need,” Victor Riparbelli said on Monday, CEO of the AI Synthesia video company, in an interview.
There are a number of key companies in Europe, ranging from the Wayve autonomous technological startup in the United Kingdom to the opening of Rival Mistral in France.
“So, I think it’s great that we invest more in infrastructure. I don’t think it’s the only solution to the problem. … But what I think is really great is that there is To a political will to do something, “added Riparbelli.
‘Fork on the road’
Last year, the economist and politician Mario Draghi published a report that has urged more investment in the European Union to increase competitiveness.
The Draghi report noted that there are innovative ideas, but startups “do not translate innovation in marketing, and innovative companies who wish to evolve in Europe are hampered at each stage by incoherent and restrictive regulations”.
Chris Lehane, Director of World Affairs in Openai, told CNBC on Monday that on the basis of his experience at the top of AI action, there are tensions between Europe at the level of the EU and the country within it.
“You can have this feeling that there is almost this fork on the road, perhaps even a tension at the moment between a Europe at the level of the EU which examines a fairly important and heavier regulatory approach. And then some Country, a France, a Germany, a United Kingdom, but not technically the EU, certainly European, they may be looking to go to a little different direction that really wants to adopt innovation, “Lehane told CNBC .
He said the previous summits of the AI organized by the United Kingdom and South Korea focused on security around AI, but Paris edition has a change of tone.
“I think that this conference, you are starting to see perhaps a different definition or consideration, that perhaps the biggest risk at the moment lacks the opportunity,” added Lehane.
Europe “arbiter”
However, the image of Europe as a heavy track for technological regulations was not shaken.
“One of the metaphors that I sometimes use to you consider AI as a World Cup football match between the United States and China. And if all of Europe tries to do is to be the referee, There are two problems.
Christel Heydemann, CEO of the telecommunications company Orangetold CNBC on Tuesday in an interview that there was too much regulation in Europe.
“So, it is who slows us down, especially when you think of the potential of the European market,” said Heydemann.
However, she brought an optimistic tone on the position of Europe on AI.
I do not think, in the end, it is a breed between the United States and China. In fact, the president of the European Commission was very clear, Europe wants to be a continent of the AI, and the race is not yet over, “added Heydemann.
