France is positioned as a significant player in military AI, ranked in the ‘second circle’ behind the US and China. At a recent AI summit, Minister Sébastien Lecornu stressed the importance of mastering AI for national sovereignty. Innovations like generative AI are set to transform military operations, as seen in NATO exercises and the integration of AI in hardware, such as drones used in Ukraine. France’s strong mathematical foundation and defense industry investment are pivotal, but ethical development and human oversight remain crucial.
France’s Ambitious Position in Military AI
According to experts, France holds a prominent position in the realm of artificial intelligence, classified as part of the ‘second circle’ alongside nations like Israel and the UK, while trailing behind the major powers of China and the United States. This strategic positioning underscores the need for France to solidify its presence in military applications of AI while prioritizing ethical considerations.
During a defense-focused session at the recent AI summit in Paris, Minister of the Armed Forces, Sébastien Lecornu, emphasized that mastering AI is vital for national sovereignty. “France is taking the lead in military artificial intelligence in Europe,” he stated, likening the significance of defense AI to that of nuclear technology in its time. Lecornu pointed out that AI is poised to revolutionize military operations, enhancing capabilities from decision-making processes to the autonomy of weapon systems.
Transforming Military Operations with AI
One notable example of AI’s transformative potential in military strategy is demonstrated by NATO’s Steadfast exercises, which required extensive planning and resources. Admiral Pierre Vandier, the Supreme Allied Commander for Transformation, noted that with the advent of generative AI, the preparation time for such exercises could be significantly reduced. “We believe we can cut down this cycle by more than half,” he explained.
AI technology is also being integrated into military hardware to enhance operational independence. For instance, Helsing, a tech company with a presence in Germany, France, and the UK, has supplied Ukraine with AI software that enables 4,000 attack drones to effectively target despite electronic interference from Russia. At the AI summit, Helsing announced a collaboration with Mistral, a leading French generative AI firm, to further advance these capabilities.
Antoine de Braquilanges, Managing Director of Helsing France, elaborated on the partnership’s goals, explaining how drones can assess multiple routes to a target and communicate options to human operators for selection, thereby streamlining coordination between pilots and unmanned systems during missions.
Bertrand Rondepierre, the young leader of the Ministry’s Agency for Defense Artificial Intelligence (Amiad), expressed confidence in France’s AI prowess. “We have a vibrant ecosystem and are among the best globally. Our challenge lies in applying this expertise within the military sector,” he stated. The defense landscape in France is evolving, with startups flourishing and established companies like Thales and MBDA consolidating their AI resources into dedicated divisions.
Experts highlight France’s strengths, including its strong foundation in mathematics and an established defense industry capable of significant investment in AI technology. However, to maintain its competitive edge, France must ensure that AI systems are developed with transparency and integrity. The forthcoming deployment of an ‘AI supercomputer’ at Amiad will facilitate algorithm development for industrial partners, while upholding high standards for data quality.
Lecornu reaffirmed the importance of having full control over AI technology, stating that understanding how AI arrives at its conclusions is crucial. He emphasized the need for human oversight in AI operations to prevent reliance on unverified software predictions, citing concerns over incidents involving automated targeting systems that resulted in civilian casualties.