The relationship between France and the Middle East has been shaped by centuries of trade, diplomacy, and cultural exchange. Even in the postcolonial era, France continues to play a significant role in the region, maintaining economic partnerships, strategic alliances, and security cooperation. The interaction between the two sides has often revolved around energy, counterterrorism, migration, and infrastructure projects. However, the increasing global focus on artificial intelligence (AI) is ushering in a new era of collaboration between France and its Middle East and North Africa (MENA) partners.

AI has emerged as a central theme in France’s economic and technological policies. This year alone, France has made significant strides in the field by hosting the AI Action Summit, launching the third phase of its National AI Strategy, and establishing the National Institute for the Evaluation and Security of Artificial Intelligence. These initiatives align with the France 2030 strategy, which aims to enhance the country’s technological sovereignty, leverage AI for social advancement, and develop high-performance computing clusters to support AI research.

A crucial aspect of France’s AI ambitions involves forging international partnerships, and the MENA region has proven to be a valuable ally. The AI Action Summit, hosted by the French government, solidified France’s intent to collaborate globally. A major outcome was the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) commitment to invest up to €50 billion ($52 billion) in the development of a 1-gigawatt AI data center in France. This facility, which will be the largest........

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