The historical ties between France and the Middle East, rooted in centuries of trade and diplomacy, are evolving into a modern partnership centred around artificial intelligence (AI). This year, France has made significant strides in AI, hosting the AI Action Summit and launching the third phase of its National AI Strategy. These efforts align with the France 2030 strategy, aiming to enhance technological sovereignty and leverage AI for social advancement.
A pivotal moment came when the United Arab Emirates (UAE) committed to investing €50 billion in a 1-gigawatt AI data centre in France, set to be the largest in Europe. This facility is expected to drive AI adoption by fostering entrepreneurship and innovation.
Morocco has also emerged as a key player, joining France in the Current AI initiative, which aims to raise $2.5 billion over the next five years to support AI innovation. This builds on previous agreements, including a joint Research Centre for AI, big data, and cybersecurity.
France’s AI engagement extends to security cooperation with Qatar and collaborative research with Turkiye through the Bosphorus Programme. The French private sector is also active, with startups like Mistral AI securing investments from Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Despite these advancements, France faces challenges in talent acquisition, competition from AI powerhouses, and regulatory constraints. However, the financial and strategic support from the MENA region, particularly the UAE’s investment, comes at a crucial time for France’s economy.
The evolving France-Middle East relations signify a shift in economic power dynamics, with the Middle East now in a strong position to invest in Europe. The UAE’s success in AI development, including robust language models and dedicated investment funds, positions it as a strategic partner for France.
This growing mutual dependence is poised to shape the future of AI-driven economic and technological development, particularly in smart cities, climate action, cybersecurity, education, and trade. As France and its Middle Eastern partners strengthen their AI partnerships, they are redefining their bilateral relations, moving beyond traditional agreements to innovation-driven collaboration.
These developments highlight the important role of the Global South in shaping Europe’s AI landscape. By fostering strategic, sustainable, and ethical AI adoption, France and its MENA partners can jointly emerge as influential players in the global AI ecosystem.
