In a significant move ahead of the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit in Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan have forged a deal to invest billions in a massive AI data center in France. Reports indicate that the financial commitment could range from €30 to €50 billion ($31 to $52 billion), primarily aimed at constructing a state-of-the-art campus with a data center capacity of up to 1GW. ⚡
French Digital and AI Minister Clara Chappaz announced that 35 potential locations have been identified for new data centers, which will benefit from expedited administrative processes. France’s energy mix, dominated by nuclear power (65%) and renewable sources (25%), positions it as an attractive destination for energy-intensive AI projects.
The investment will be supported by a consortium of French and Emirati investors, including the Emirati firm MGX, which is also involved in other notable AI initiatives. With heads of state and global tech leaders converging in Paris for the summit, further investment announcements and discussions on the environmental impacts of AI are anticipated.
