Macron announces €109 billion AI investments in France

French President Emmanuel Macron has unveiled a significant investment of €109 billion (approximately $112.5 billion) in artificial intelligence, aimed at positioning France as a key player in the global AI landscape. This announcement coincides with the upcoming AI Action Summit in Paris, where global leaders and tech figures, including OpenAI's Sam Altman, will convene. Major contributors to this funding include Canadian firm Brookfield, committing €20 billion, and the United Arab Emirates, which may invest up to €50 billion for a new data center infrastructure. Macron emphasized the need for Europe to accelerate its AI investments to compete with the U.S. and China, especially against substantial initiatives like the U.S.'s $500 billion Stargate project. The initiative also includes the establishment of the 'Current AI' nonprofit fund, focusing on innovations in public interest areas such as privacy and healthcare. Macron's strategy reflects a commitment to fostering local startups and reducing dependency on foreign technology.