French President Emmanuel Macron has issued a stark warning about Europe’s standing in the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence (AI), expressing deep concern over the continent’s lagging position compared to global tech leaders like the United States and China. In an exclusive interview with CNN’s Richard Quest at the Elysee Palace on Thursday, Macron candidly admitted, “We are not in the race today. We are lagging behind.”
This admission comes from a leader who has spent much of his political career promoting pro-business reforms in France. Yet, despite these efforts, Europe’s AI development appears insufficient to compete on the world stage. Macron emphasized the need for immediate action, stating, “We need an AI agenda because we have to bridge the gap with the United States and China on AI.”
Macron’s concern revolves around Europe’s potential role as a mere consumer of AI technologies rather than an active developer and innovator. This dependency could have far-reaching implications for the continent’s economic growth, technological sovereignty, and security. Without significant investment and strategic planning, Europe risks losing control over the future direction of AI development.
One major issue is the lack of large-scale investments and limited computing power. Europe currently accounts for only 3-5% of global computing capacity, a stark contrast to the massive infrastructure in the U.S. and China. This deficiency hampers Europe’s ability to train advanced AI models and develop competitive technologies.
As part of efforts to change this narrative, France is positioning itself as a key player in Europe’s AI strategy. Macron highlighted the success of Mistral, a Paris-based AI company often regarded as Europe’s answer to OpenAI. Mistral recently launched a new app designed to compete with U.S. AI products while using significantly less computing power. However, the emergence of DeepSeek, a cost-effective Chinese AI competitor, has intensified the pressure on European firms to innovate rapidly.
In addition to fostering private sector growth, France is investing heavily in public infrastructure. The French government is set to unveil Europe’s largest supercomputer by fall 2025, located at the Mont Valerien military site near Paris. This state-of-the-art facility will support advanced AI applications, particularly in defense, such as aircraft carrier design, anti-drone technologies, and military strategy simulations.
Macron believes that France’s strong energy infrastructure, powered by nuclear energy, provides a competitive edge for hosting energy-intensive data centers. His ambitious goal is for Europe to host 20% of the world’s data centers, thereby securing a more substantial role in the global AI ecosystem.
While technological infrastructure is critical, Macron stressed that securing robust financing is equally essential. “It’s where Europe must do much better,” he said, pointing to the need for increased investments from within Europe and strategic partnerships with global investors, including those from the United States and Gulf Arab states.
Macron also addressed the broader economic challenges facing Europe, including the potential impact of U.S. trade policies under a future Trump administration. Trump’s threats of tariffs against European allies could inadvertently boost Europe’s self-reliance, encouraging the continent to reinvest in its own technological capabilities.
Macron argued that Europe must protect its industries from unfair competition, ease investment regulations, and prevent the outflow of European capital to foreign markets. His comments were echoed by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who has called for stronger economic resilience within the EU.
Another significant hurdle for Europe’s AI ambitions is its complex regulatory environment. Macron criticized the “crazy regulations” that stifle innovation, particularly for AI startups. He announced plans to unveil a roadmap of reforms in February and March aimed at simplifying business regulations, reducing bureaucratic red tape, and creating a more competitive landscape for tech companies.
“We have to focus on killing some crazy regulations, simplification of the current environment,” Macron stated. “Europe has to simplify its rules, make it much more business-friendly, and synchronize with the United States.”
These reforms are designed to attract global talent, encourage entrepreneurship, and make Europe an attractive destination for AI investments.
Despite the challenges, Macron remains optimistic about Europe’s potential to reclaim its place in the global tech arena. “I will fight for AI,” he declared passionately, pledging to advocate for a competitive, innovative, and secure digital future for Europe.
Macron’s vision extends beyond economic growth; he sees AI as a critical component of Europe’s geopolitical influence. By investing in AI, strengthening digital sovereignty, and fostering international collaborations, Europe can ensure it plays an active role in shaping the technologies that will define the future.
This week’s AI summit in Paris is more than just a conference it’s a call to action. Macron hopes it will serve as a “wake-up call” for European leaders to recognize the urgency of the situation and take bold steps to secure Europe’s place in the AI race.
