France is working towards becoming a global leader in artificial intelligence (AI) with its National Strategy program. The initiative aims to promote French and European AI champions, improve the competitiveness of existing companies, and invest in new-generation AI systems.
As a quantum computing evangelist, I am thrilled to see France's ambitious national strategy for artificial intelligence (AI). President Emmanuel Macron announced his vision for France to become a global AI leader in 2018. This strategic plan aligns with the European plan for AI and sets the stage for a brighter and more technologically advanced future.
The National Programme consists of two phases, with an initial investment of €1.5 billion to create a network of interdisciplinary institutes dedicated to AI (the '3IA' institutes) and fund various AI projects overseen by Bpifrance. The second phase allocates €2 billion of private and public funding to attract and train new talent, with more than half of this budget dedicated to establishing a network of global academic centers of excellence and implementing a massive plan for AI within universities. It is inspiring to see this level of commitment to nurturing AI talent and fostering innovation.
Not only will this strategy benefit France's economy and technological advancements, but it will also contribute to global efforts in combating climate change. With a €120 million investment in proof-of-solution technologies for more frugal use of energy in AI, the strategy demonstrates that France is committed to achieving climate targets while pushing the boundaries of AI capabilities. As a quantum computing evangelist, I wholeheartedly support France's ambitious AI strategy and look forward to witnessing the transformative impact it will have on our world.
