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Sam Altman, CEO of Openai, speaks with French president Emmanuel Macron at station F, during an event from the artificial intelligence action summit in Paris, France, February 11, 2025.
Aurelien Morissard | Through Reuters
Paris – Music was playing and people were cheering the artificial intelligence action summit in Paris on Monday as French president Emmanuel Macron He declared that France is “back in AI’s career.”
The bold call comes later Macron promoted an investment of 109 billion euros ($ 112.8 billion) In AI in the country. But it also underlines the desire of Europe, led by France, to be part of the conversation about the leadership and innovation of AI that has so far been dominated by the United States and China.
Last month, Stargate of $ 500 billion in the United States The announcement reached the headlines worldwide, followed by the Deepseek’s model, which sent Shock waves in financial markets and highlighted China’s ability to maintain the position with American innovation.
Europe has been seen for a long time for its critics as a place that has regulated the technological industry too much to the detriment of innovation.
Although that image has not changed completely, there are some in the technology industry that think that Europe is moving in the right direction.
“As a European region, at least, we are beginning to see that global leaders arise, and that is what we really need,” Victor Riparebelli, CEO of the Video Company Ai Synthesia, told CNBC in an interview on Monday.
There are a number of key companies in Europe, ranging from the Wayve Autonomous Technology startup in the United Kingdom to OpenAi Mistral rival in France.
“So I think it’s great that we invested more in infrastructure. I don’t think it’s the only solution to the problem … but what I think is really great is that there is a political will to do something,” Riparebelli added.
‘Bifurca on the way’
Last year, economist and politician Mario Draghi published a report That urged more investment in the European Union to boost competitiveness.
Draghi’s report said there are innovative ideas, but new companies “are not translating innovation in marketing, and innovative companies that wish to climb in Europe are hindered at each stage by inconsistent and restrictive regulations.”
Chris Lehane, director of Global Affairs of Openai, told CNBC on Monday that, according to his experience at the AI Action Summit, there is tension between Europe at the EU level and countries within it.
“You can have this feeling that there is almost this bifurcado along the way, perhaps even a tension at this time between a Europe at the EU level that is analyzing a fairly significant and heavy regulatory approach. And then some of the countries, A France, a Germany, a United Kingdom, although technically, the EU, certainly European, may be in a slightly different direction that really wants to adopt innovation, “Lehane told CNBC.
He said that the summits of the previous ones Organized by the United Kingdom And South Korea has focused on security around AI, but the Paris edition has a change in tone.
“I think this conference is beginning to see perhaps a different definition or consideration, that perhaps the greatest risk at this time is losing the opportunity,” Lehane added.
Europe the ‘referee’
Even so, the image of Europe as an onerous place for technological regulation has not been shaken.
He I have the act It was the first important law in the world that governs artificial intelligence in entering into force in 2024. It has been criticized by companies, as well as individual countries such as France, which have said that legislation could suffocate innovation.
“One of the metaphors that sometimes use you look at AI as a World Cup soccer match between the United States and China. And if all Europe is trying to do is be the referee, there are two problems. One, they never win , and two, nobody really likes the referee, “Reid Hoffman, LinkedIn co -founder and investor of the Greylock Risk Capital firm, told CNBC.
Christel Heydemann, CEO of the telecommunications firm OrangeHe told CNBC in an interview on Tuesday that there is too much regulation in Europe.
“So that is slowing down, especially when you think about the potential of the European market,” said Heydemann.
However, she gave an optimistic tone in the position of Europe in AI.
I do not believe that, in the end, it is a career between us and China. Actually, the President of the European Commission It has been very clear, Europe wants to be a continent of AI, and the race is not over yet, “Heydemann added.
