European Union's future direction outlined by Commission on Artificial Intelligence report

France is set to take a significant leap in the realm of Artificial Intelligence (AI) with an ambitious action plan, as outlined in the report "AI: Our Ambition for France," published by the Artificial Intelligence Commission.

The report highlights transformative uses of AI, such as improving citizen-government interactions through generative AI and facilitating administrative tasks in native language processing, redefining public service delivery. France's focus on digital sovereignty is evident, with the development of AI infrastructure and generative AI engines domestically, like the sovereign solution GénIAl deployed by the Île-de-France Region.

To position France as a leader in AI technology, the report proposes a strategic approach anchored on two main trajectories: enhancing individual productivity with everyday AI assistants and pursuing high-impact use cases that offer large-scale transformative value. This dual strategy aims to unlock innovation while maintaining ethical and regulatory compliance.

A key component of France’s AI ambition is the establishment of a dedicated €10 billion investment fund. This fund supports startups, infrastructure projects, and research initiatives that align with France’s goals of sovereignty, competitiveness, and innovation leadership in AI. Notable startups like Mistral AI, a rising French open-source AI leader, benefit from this support.

The government has also launched initiatives like the “Dare to Use AI” program, reflecting a broader institutional drive to embed AI across sectors and enhance France’s AI ecosystem.

Experts recommend establishing a French and sovereign AI to generate growth and secure equipment and computing power for AI operation. To achieve this, efforts are being made to improve AI models, find new architectures, or develop new models with lower energy consumption.

As the environmental impact of AI technologies used by hundreds of millions of people is yet to be evaluated, increasing transparency about the energy impact of AI models would enable users to make informed choices. Specialized AI models consume less energy than general-use models, making them a promising direction for sustainable AI development.

In addition, the report outlines economic, social, and ecological prospects for French AI, suggesting that AI could offset its carbon emissions by promoting green innovations. Awareness-raising actions are underway in France to ensure equitable distribution of AI innovation value.

To strengthen transparency and surveillance of AI project activities, experts predict the intervention of a third party or entity. Manufacturers will have to indicate the conditions for retrieval of works used to train AI. In recruitment or dismissal cases where AI makes the final decision, the aggrieved person has the right to be informed.

After the vote on the AI Act, artists are expected to have their intellectual property rights respected, and a right of withdrawal on works used to train AI. Tax credits will encourage companies to host their data on nearby data centers, and funds will be distributed to strengthen public training in these technologies.

Microelectronics used in AI are becoming increasingly resource-efficient. The cost of each query will be a central aspect of competition among AI systems. Experts invite social partners to establish a national interprofessional agreement on digital and AI, including discussions on AI's presence in employees' lives.

With these initiatives and strategies in place, France is poised to become a leading player in the global AI landscape, combining sovereign AI solutions, substantial funding, a supportive ecosystem for startups, and scalable applications in both public services and industry to create a competitive, secure, and innovative AI landscape.

European Union's future direction outlined by Commission on Artificial Intelligence report