France appoints Clara Chappaz as first minister for AI and digitalisation
The appointment aligns with President Emmanuel Macron’s vision to make Paris a ‘city of AI’ and follows a period of political uncertainty within France and regarding its position in the EU.
France has appointed Clara Chappaz, the CEO of La French Tech, as its first-ever minister dedicated to AI and Digitalisation, marking a significant step in its quest to become a global leader in AI. That appointment aligns with President Emmanuel Macron’s vision to transform Paris into the ‘city of AI.’
Chappaz expressed her enthusiasm for the role, highlighting her commitment to public action on digital and AI subjects. The new ministerial title underscores France’s strategic focus on advancing its AI capabilities, further evidenced by its efforts to foster generative AI enterprises like Mistral AI and H and its plans to host the International AI Summit in February.
France’s national AI strategy, published last year, promises a €500 million investment to establish AI clusters by 2030. Chappaz, 35, has significantly contributed to the tech industry and gender equality during her tenure at La French Tech. She launched an optional parity pact that mandates a 20 percent minimum quota of women on boards of directors by 2025 and requires managers to be trained in diversity and anti-discrimination practices.
Why does it matter?
Amid recent political changes in France, including the National Assembly’s dissolution and Michel Barnier’s appointment as prime minister, Chappaz’s new role is seen as a stabilising move. She will report to the Ministry of Higher Education and Research, signalling a potential shift towards integrating AI advancements with educational and research initiatives. Chappaz’s appointment and France’s strategic extensions in AI policies highlight the nation’s intent to lead technological innovation while upholding ethical standards and promoting inclusivity.
