In the rapid development of science and technology today, artificial intelligence has become a key area of global competition. on February 10, 2025, French President Macron announced on the eve of the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit in Paris a remarkable plan: in the next few years, France will receive a total of 109 billion euros of investment for the promotion of the development of artificial intelligence projects, a plan that it called the French version of the “Stargate”, against the United States announced by Trump in January this year, by OpenAI, Japan’s SoftBank Group and the United States Oracle Corporation, a joint venture investment of 500 billion U.S. dollars in the construction of the ‘Stargate’ AI infrastructure project. Behind this huge investment program is not only France’s ambition in the field of AI, but also reflects the urgent desire of Europe to seek a breakthrough in the global AI competition.
Huge investment to build the cornerstone of AI development
France’s AI investment program is funded by a wide range of sources. The UAE’s MGX Fund plans to invest €30 billion to €50 billion in building an AI campus, including data centers and research and training programs; Canada’s Brookfield Fund is investing €20 billion in AI infrastructure; BlackRock is investing €30 billion in partnership with Microsoft, mainly in data center construction; France’s National Investment Bank will invest €10 billion by 2029; Ilya Group is investing €300 million; and local French companies such as telecom operator Iliad SA and Orange SA and aerospace companies are investing in this plan from a variety of sources. The French National Investment Bank is investing €10 billion by 2029; the Iliad Group is investing €300 million; and local French companies such as telecom operator Iliad SA, Orange SA and aerospace company Thales SA are also actively involved in the investment.
Such a large-scale capital investment will, first and foremost, give a major boost to AI infrastructure. The importance of data centers as a key support for AI development cannot be overstated. Adequate investment can ensure that data centers have strong data storage and processing capabilities, providing a solid guarantee for the training and operation of AI models. At the same time, the construction of AI parks will also integrate resources, form industrial clustering effects, and promote exchanges and cooperation among research institutions, enterprises and talents.
In terms of talent cultivation and introduction, this fund will also play an important role. On the one hand, it will cultivate local AI talents by cooperating with universities to offer specialized courses and set up special scholarships; on the other hand, it will attract top AI talents from around the world by virtue of favorable treatment and a good research environment, so as to inject fresh blood into the development of AI in France.
Strategic goal, pointing to the global AI highland
Macron’s implementation of this plan has a multifaceted strategic consideration.
From the perspective of industrial development, it aims to build a complete AI ecosystem. Through investment, AI enterprises and related industrial chain upstream and downstream enterprises will be attracted to station in France, promoting the application and commercialization of AI technology in various fields. In the medical field, AI technology can be used in disease diagnosis, drug development, etc. to improve medical efficiency and accuracy; in the transportation field, it can help the development of intelligent transportation systems, ease traffic congestion and improve traffic safety. With the wide application of AI technology, it will drive the upgrading and transformation of traditional industries and create new economic growth points.
In terms of international competition, Macron hopes to enhance France’s and even Europe’s right to speak in the global AI field. For a long time, China and the United States have taken the lead in the global AI map. The U.S. has a significant advantage in basic arithmetic and original innovation, and owns a large number of academic programs and research platforms focusing on AI; China has a strong momentum of development in the field of AI, especially in terms of AI talents, applications and data. Although Europe has a certain amount of technical accumulation, it has lagged behind in the overall competition. The French version of the “Stargate” program is an important attempt by Europe to narrow the gap with China and the United States, and through large-scale investment and strategic layout, it is expected to occupy a place in the global AI competition.
Challenges and thorns along the way
Although France’s AI “Stargate” program is ambitious, it is bound to face many challenges in the process of implementation.
Technological breakthroughs are the first challenge, as AI technology develops rapidly, and China and the United States have taken the lead in some key technological areas. It is extremely difficult for France to realize a major technological breakthrough in a short period of time to catch up with or even surpass China and the United States. For example, in terms of chip technology, NVIDIA and other companies in the United States dominate the AI chip field, and China is also constantly increasing R & D investment to improve the performance of independent chips. France needs to continue to make efforts in chip design, algorithm optimization and other core technologies before it can stand out in the global AI technology competition.
The competition for talents is also extremely fierce. The United States has attracted a large number of outstanding talents by virtue of its top science and technology enterprises and university resources; China’s huge talent base and good development opportunities have also retained many local talents and attracted some overseas talents to return. In attracting and retaining talents, France is facing the pressure of competition in terms of salary, research environment and career development opportunities. How to develop a more attractive talent policy and provide a broad space for the development of talents is an urgent problem for France.
Effective management and rational allocation of funds are also crucial. 109 billion euros is a huge sum of money, but if it is not scientifically planned and strictly supervised, it is likely to be wasted and the progress of the project will be delayed, and so on. It is necessary to establish a sound fund management mechanism to ensure that each and every fund can be invested in the most critical projects and areas to maximize its effectiveness.
Looking ahead, opportunities and challenges
Despite the challenges, the French version of the Stargate program also presents many opportunities.
Once the program is successfully implemented, France will achieve leapfrog development in the field of AI and become a European leader in AI development. This will not only enhance France’s national competitiveness, but also drive the overall development of the European AI industry, and promote Europe to play a more important role in the global science and technology arena. Through the application of AI technology in various industries, it will increase productivity, improve the quality of life, and promote the progress and development of society.
The program will also promote international cooperation in the field of AI technology.
At the same time, this program will also promote international cooperation and exchange. In the process of AI development, countries need to share technology, data and experience. France’s AI program may attract enterprises and research institutions from other countries to participate in cooperation and jointly promote the development and application of AI technology. In the context of the global response to climate change, the application of AI technology in energy management, environmental protection and other fields has a broad prospect, and France, with its advantages in clean energy, can cooperate with other countries to carry out relevant projects, realizing a win-win situation for both economic development and environmental protection.
France’s AI “Stargate” program is a bold and visionary attempt. It carries the hope of France and even Europe to make a comeback in the global AI competition. Although the road ahead is full of challenges, as long as it can be reasonably planned, effectively implemented, give full play to the advantages of funds and policies, and actively cope with all kinds of difficulties, it will be possible to open up new horizons in the field of AI, and contribute to the development of AI in the world with the wisdom and strength of Europe.
