French President Emmanuel Macron has unveiled plans for €109 billion ($113 billion) in artificial intelligence investments, with a significant portion dedicated to creating large-scale AI computing facilities powered by the country’s nuclear energy infrastructure. The announcement comes as France aims to establish itself as a major player in the global AI computing landscape, competing with similar initiatives in the United States and China.
The centerpiece of the initiative involves allocating one gigawatt of nuclear power to AI computing projects, with company FluidStack planning to begin construction in the third quarter of 2024. The initial phase aims to connect 250 megawatts of power to AI computing chips by the end of 2026, potentially housing up to 120,000 Nvidia AI chips. Additional investments include a €20 billion commitment from Brookfield Asset Management for AI infrastructure and a potential €50 billion investment from the United Arab Emirates for a new AI campus.
The French government is leveraging its extensive nuclear power infrastructure, which includes 57 reactors across 18 plants producing more than two-thirds of the country’s electricity, as a competitive advantage. This approach differs from other global AI initiatives by utilizing existing clean energy resources rather than expanding fossil fuel consumption. The project has attracted support from major investors and tech companies, though specific details about chip procurement and project completion timelines remain under discussion.
Sources: Financial Times, Wall Street Journal