What can the State Secretariat for Artificial Intelligence be used for?

Prime Minister Michel Barnier has chosen to appoint Clara Chappaz to a position with a new title.

Revolution or announcement effect? ​​For the first time in France, the government has a position that specifically mentions AI in its title: the Secretary of State for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technology. A way of showing that these technologies, and in particular text or image generative AI, have become a major topic for the executive.

To embody it within the government, Prime Minister Michel Barnier has chosen a well-known face of French start-ups: Clara Chappaz, director of the French Tech mission from 2021 to 2024. But in concrete terms, can this change of title be translated into reality, compared to the old portfolios which did not mentioned “only” digital in the broad sense? Will AI really be at the heart of government action? And what does the sector think of this (de)nomination?

During her handover from her predecessor Marina Ferrari, Clara Chappaz detailed some of her priorities. As expected, AI is at the heart of them: “France is in the global AI race, and it is now recognized. But this race is fast, and we must not give up.”launched the new Secretary of State.

At the top of her list of projects: training. France is already recognized for the quality of its academic courses in the field of AI and its talents then spread across the world, notably among American tech giants. Clara Chappaz hopes to amplify this influence, “by continuing to train the best engineers, our best researchers, and of course helping them to found their company, but also by training our students in these issues and their proper use”.

This effort on training around artificial intelligence should also concern the general public. “Allowing all French people to understand AI and its challenges in order to know how to use it is guaranteeing the technological future of France”said Clara Chappaz, who also sees a possibility “tool for inclusion and equality”in line with the report of the generative AI committee submitted in March.

“Not to make AI a new fracture, this fight will be my obsession.”

Clara Chappaz, Secretary of State for AI and Digital Affairs

in a speech

Finally, the new minister spoke of her desire to “to create bridges between the economy on the one hand and research on the other, and more generally between the public and the private sectors”She also wants to continue the feminization of the new technologies sector, bring together start-ups and public administrations and support “deep tech” companies (highly innovative technologies, close to the world of research and still very inaccessible).

For French AI players, this spotlight can be a double-edged sword. Gaël Varoquaux, researcher at theNational Institute for Research in Digital Science and Technology (Inria), ““don’t like the word ‘AI’ at all” but appreciates that it is used: “C“It’s a strong word in the collective imagination, and it’s a way of showing that we’re doing cutting-edge computing, that we’re taking ownership of the digital revolution.” Others are more skeptical. “What’s the message? It’s a buzz!” “It’s annoying,” says Luc Julia, former director of design for the Siri voice assistant at Apple. “For two years, everyone has been talking about it and many people are saying anything. The signal from this job title is good, but it must not be just a fad, and that is what I fear.”he explains to franceinfo.

While the title of Clara Chappaz’s position is controversial, the profile of the Secretary of State has the business world in agreement. “He is an interesting personality, who knows the French Tech environment very well.”says Laurent Daudet, co-founder of the French company LightOn, which sells AI services to businesses. Clara Chappaz has spent most of her career in start-ups in France and abroad, particularly in e-commerce, before taking over the French Tech mission, whose mission is “to support the development (…) of innovative technological start-ups”according to the Ministry of Economy.

“It’s helpful to have someone you already know.”

Laurent Daudet, entrepreneur

to franceinfo

A change from Marina Ferrari, who was completely unknown in the sector when she arrived at the State Secretariat for Digital Affairs – something she herself acknowledged with humor in her handover speech. Clara Chappaz explained that she “maintains a fine understanding of needs [des start-up]“ and that she will work “by maintaining this proximity with these entrepreneurs”.

On the other hand, one change divides the players in the sector: the State Secretariat is no longer attached to the Ministry of the Economy, but to that of Higher Education and Research. This could be accompanied by a loss of influence or resources: “I understood a long time ago that power was more at Bercy than on rue Descartes!” says Gaël Varoquaux. This distancing from the Ministry of Economy should not turn into a weakening.”

“It’s all very well to take people from civil society with real skills, but will it have the political weight to exist?”

Laurent Daudet, entrepreneur

to franceinfo

Furthermore, it should not be forgotten that “In ‘AI and digital’, there is also digital, and that includes a lot of things”recalls Luc Julia. As her predecessor Marina Ferrari mentioned during the handover of power, Clara Chappaz will have to continue to monitor many other projects, including the implementation of the SREN law with the “anti-scam filter”, the reinforced fight against cyberbullying and the application of the European regulations DMA, DSA and AI Act… Will she be able to lead all these files at the same time, with the resources of a State Secretariat that came last in the protocol order of the Barnier government, under the permanent threat of a motion of censure? No artificial intelligence will be able to give her the answer.