The OECD.AI Policy Navigator

France’s national AI strategy was launched in 2018. Its first phase, which ran between 2018 and 2022 and had a budget of EUR 1.85 billion, enabled the creation and development of a network of interdisciplinary AI research institutes, the establishment of chairs of excellence and doctoral programmes, and the deployment of the Jean Zay supercomputer. The second phase (2022-25) focuses more strongly on disseminating AI technologies and enabling AI development and innovation.

The French National Institute of Geographical and Forest Information (IGN) leads several AI-enhanced projects supporting land use, ecology, and agriculture. These include LiDAR HD (3D national mapping), OCS GE (land cover classification), CarHab (habitat modelling), AI4GEO (automated 2D/3D mapping from satellite data), CAP monitoring (with MASA/ASP), and BDForêt (forest reference mapping), advancing data-driven public policy and environmental management.

A France 2030 competitive three-phase funding programme supporting breakthrough AI R&D projects by startups, SMEs, labs, and consortia, with phased funding from EUR 100K (feasibility) up to EUR 8M (market application), operated by Bpifrance and Agence de programmes Numérique (Inria).

A fast, collateral-free online loan of between EUR 5,000 and EUR 75,000 for French very small firms (VSEs) and SMEs with fewer than 50 employees, enabling them to finance AI tool integration and project implementation.

Current AI was set up to reshape the existing AI landscape by developing and supporting large-scale initiatives that serve the public interest.