France will host the AI Action Summit on February 10 and 11 at the Grand Palais. The event will bring together heads of state and government, leaders of international organisations, academia, CEOs from both large and small companies, representatives from non-governmental organisations, artists, and members of civil society.
Calling it a “summit for action,” Macron said it would offer a platform to discuss artificial intelligence.
“Prime Minister Modi will be there immediately after the state visit to our country. This (the AI Summit) will enable us to have a dialogue with all the powers, IEA, US, China and major nations such as… India which has a role to play as well as the Gulf States,” PTI quoted Macron as saying.
The announcement was made at a gathering of French Ambassadors earlier this week, where Macron outlined his foreign policy for 2025 and discussed various topics, including France’s relationship with the US following the post-Trump era.
PM Modi last met with Macron on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro on November 18 last year. This was the third meeting between the two world leaders in 2024. Macron was also the chief guest for the Republic Day celebrations in India last year. PM Modi and Macron also held a meeting on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Italy in June 2024.
During their November 2024 meeting, Prime Minister Modi and President Macron reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the India-France Strategic Partnership. They emphasised their shared vision for bilateral cooperation and international collaboration, as outlined in the Horizon 2047 roadmap and other key bilateral declarations.
Addressing the 30th Conference of French Ambassadors on January 9, Macron highlighted that the upcoming AI Action Summit will focus on innovation and talent, besides positioning France and Europe at the centre of the global artificial intelligence landscape.
“Beyond that conversion, what we want to do for public interest with the foundation will be setting up… The summit’s core for me will be innovation and the ability to attract talent and to have France and Europe at the heart of the AI battle,” ANI quoted him as saying.
In December, the French Presidency confirmed India’s invitation to the AI Action Summit and described it as a “very important country.” As many as 90 countries, including India, have been invited to participate in the summit.
“We have invited India and are working very closely with India in the run-up to the summit. Misinformation and misuse of AI are themes that will be addressed,” the French Presidency stated.