French President Emmanuel Macron takes a selfie with guests at Station F in Paris. AP
French President Emmanuel Macron takes a selfie with guests at Station F in Paris. AP
French President Emmanuel Macron takes a selfie with guests at Station F in Paris. AP
French President Emmanuel Macron takes a selfie with guests at Station F in Paris. AP

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Europe

French tech seeks more investment and easier rules at Paris AI summit

Optimism displayed by politicians contrasts with harsh realities of widespread suspicion at pace of change

Sunniva Rose
Sunniva Rose

February 11, 2025

  • English
  • Arabic

French AI executives on Tuesday crowded the large hallway at Paris' biggest tech hub, Station F, in the hope of catching a word with French President Emmanuel Macron as he walked through the crowd.

It was an important moment for French tech, which had been showcased as among the best in Europe during a two-day AI summit, a high-states diplomatic event attended by world leaders who laid out their different views on AI.

There was a slew of announcements, including the launch of the mobile application France's version of US chatbot Chat GPT – Mistral AI's Le Chat. But, as one participant pointed out to Mr Macron as he shook hands with company CEOs, “you also need to bring the entire country on board”.

Entrepreneurs expressed worry over whether France and Europe's AI sector will be attractive enough to compete with China and the US. Diplomatic tension hovered over the summit, with US Vice President JD Vance chiding the EU for over-regulating the new technology and trying to rein in US tech companies such as X that operate in Europe.

Europe is lagging behind compared to US and other markets
Rudy Lellouche

Unlike China, Brazil and the UAE, which were among the 60 signatories of a final statement titled “inclusive and sustainable artificial intelligence for people and the planet,” the UK and the US abstained.

Ultimately, countries with the biggest AI companies will decide how it will be regulated, frustrated entrepreneurs told The National. “The reality is that we hear a lot of words but it's really complicated to understand what are the facilities available to help start-ups or companies,” said Rudy Lellouche, co-founder of start-up Aive, an AI-assisted video production company.

Mr Lellouche was among dozens of French companies with a stand at Station F aimed at promoting their work and meeting European and French officials. Aive's clients include car company Stellantis in France and tech giant Meta in the US. However, Aive, which employs 25 people, is struggling to grow further in France and 20 per cent of its clients are now in the US. “Europe is lagging behind compared to US and other markets,” Mr Lellouche said. “Contracts are signed much faster in the US, which, as a result, pockets the benefits of AI technology.”

Such comments come in start contrast to the optimism displayed by politicians. “French acceleration, European awakening – here we are!” said Mr Macron in a speech at Station F. “Too often, I hear that Europe is late to the race – while the US and China have already gotten ahead,” European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said earlier in the day, addressing world leaders at the summit. “I disagree. Because the AI race is far from over. Truth is, we are only at the beginning. The frontier is constantly moving. And global leadership is still up for grabs.”

Speaking to entrepreneurs at Station F, Mr Macron tried to tread a fine line between calling for European regulation while also saying that companies needed freedom to innovate. “I want our children to be able to choose. If we let the Americans and the Chinese be the sole champions, we'll be sure of one thing: we might have the best rules in the world, but we won't have anything to regulate,” Mr Macron said.

French President Emmanuel Macron and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with participants at the Franco-Indian Economic Forum after the AI Action Summit in Paris. Reuters
French President Emmanuel Macron and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with participants at the Franco-Indian Economic Forum after the AI Action Summit in Paris. Reuters
Mr Macron delivers a speech during a plenary session of the AI Action Summit. EPA
Mr Macron delivers a speech during a plenary session of the AI Action Summit. EPA
Sam Altman, chief executive officer of OpenAI Inc, speaks during the summit. Bloomberg
Sam Altman, chief executive officer of OpenAI Inc, speaks during the summit. Bloomberg
US Vice President JD Vance and Mr Modi attend a bilateral meeting. AFP
US Vice President JD Vance and Mr Modi attend a bilateral meeting. AFP
Mr Macron takes photographs with participants at the AI Action Summit. AFP
Mr Macron takes photographs with participants at the AI Action Summit. AFP
Mr Macron, Mr Modi and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres pose for a family photo at the end of a plenary session. EPA
Mr Macron, Mr Modi and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres pose for a family photo at the end of a plenary session. EPA
Mr Macron interacts with a robot. AFP
Mr Macron interacts with a robot. AFP
Mr Macron at the presentation of AI-related artwork 'Agoria', by digital artist and Johan Lescure, on the opening day of the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit at the Grand Palais. AFP
Mr Macron at the presentation of AI-related artwork 'Agoria', by digital artist and Johan Lescure, on the opening day of the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit at the Grand Palais. AFP
Mr Macron delivers a speech to help close the first day of the summit, attended by world leaders and tech executives. AFP
Mr Macron delivers a speech to help close the first day of the summit, attended by world leaders and tech executives. AFP
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addresses delegates at the summit, where world leaders are to discuss the applications of AI. AP
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addresses delegates at the summit, where world leaders are to discuss the applications of AI. AP
Mr Macron, centre, with European leaders at the Elysee Palace in Paris. EPA
Mr Macron, centre, with European leaders at the Elysee Palace in Paris. EPA
The summit is being co-hosted by Mr Macron and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. AFP
The summit is being co-hosted by Mr Macron and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. AFP
Delegates gather for the AI summit in Paris. Bloomberg
Delegates gather for the AI summit in Paris. Bloomberg
Sundar Pichai, chief executive of Google, is among the tech leaders who have travelled to Paris. Bloomberg
Sundar Pichai, chief executive of Google, is among the tech leaders who have travelled to Paris. Bloomberg
Meredith Whittaker, centre, president of the non-profit Signal Foundation, speaks at a panel event in Paris. Bloomberg
Meredith Whittaker, centre, president of the non-profit Signal Foundation, speaks at a panel event in Paris. Bloomberg
France is set to announce it will invest €109 billion ($112.59 billion) in AI projects in the country. Bloomberg
France is set to announce it will invest €109 billion ($112.59 billion) in AI projects in the country. Bloomberg
China's Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing and Mr Macron hold talks at the Elysee Palace. AFP
China's Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing and Mr Macron hold talks at the Elysee Palace. AFP
Booths set up at the Grand Palais, the venue for the AI summit. AFP
Booths set up at the Grand Palais, the venue for the AI summit. AFP

It's the kind of message that the AI sector said they would listen to closely. “Let's create first, then regulate,” said Jules Caron, chief of staff at Scality, a French software company that offers services to secure data used by companies and the defence sector, including data used in AI development.

Announcements made at the AI summit go in the “right direction”, Mr Caron said. It remains to be seen what direction Europe's AI will take.

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%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20The%20digitisation%20of%20financial%20services%20will%20continue%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Managing%20and%20using%20data%20effectively%20will%20become%20a%20competitive%20advantage%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Digitisation%20will%20require%20continued%20adjustment%20of%20operating%20models%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Banks%20will%20expand%20their%20role%20in%20the%20customer%20life%20through%20ecosystems%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20The%20structure%20of%20the%20sector%20will%20change%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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RESULT

Norway 1 Spain 1
Norway: King (90 4')
Spain: Niguez (47')

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

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Monster Hunter: World

Capcom

PlayStation 4, Xbox One

New UK refugee system

 

  • A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
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  • A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
  • To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
  • Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
  • Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
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Price, base / as tested Dh12 million

Engine 8.0-litre quad-turbo, W16

Gearbox seven-speed dual clutch auto

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DUBAI WORLD CUP RACE CARD

6.30pm Meydan Classic Trial US$100,000 (Turf) 1,400m

7.05pm Handicap $135,000 (T) 1,400m

7.40pm UAE 2000 Guineas Group Three $250,000 (Dirt) 1,600m

8.15pm Dubai Sprint Listed Handicap $175,000 (T) 1,200m

8.50pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 Group Two $450,000 (D) 1,900m

9.25pm Handicap $135,000 (T) 1,800m

10pm Handicap $135,000 (T) 1,400m

 

The National selections

6.30pm Well Of Wisdom

7.05pm Summrghand

7.40pm Laser Show

8.15pm Angel Alexander

8.50pm Benbatl

9.25pm Art Du Val

10pm: Beyond Reason

Racecard

6.30pm: Mazrat Al Ruwayah Group Two (PA) US$55,000 (Dirt) 1,600m

7.05pm: Meydan Trophy (TB) $100,000 (Turf) 1,900m

7.40pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (D) 1,200m

8.15pm: Balanchine Group Two (TB) $250,000 (T) 1,800m

8.50pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,000m

9.25pm: Firebreak Stakes Group Three (TB) $200,000 (D) 1,600m

10pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 2,410m

The National selections: 6.30pm: RM Lam Tara, 7.05pm: Al Mukhtar Star, 7.40pm: Bochart, 8.15pm: Magic Lily, 8.50pm: Roulston Scar, 9.25pm: Quip, 10pm: Jalmoud

Race card

5.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,400m

6.05pm: Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (T) 1,400m

6.40pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (Dirt) 1,400m

7.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (T) 1,200m

7.50pm: Longines Stakes – Conditions (TB) Dh120,00 (D) 1,900m

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9pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (T) 2,410m

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10pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 2,000m

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Meydan race card

6.30pm: Maiden; Dh165,000; (Dirt) 1,200m
7.05pm: Handicap; Dh170,000; (D) 1,200m​​​​​​​
7.40pm: Maiden; Dh165,000; (D) 1,900m​​​​​​​
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On Women's Day
Updated: February 11, 2025, 5:16 PM