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.

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

In France, several initiatives integrate climate and environmental aspects of AI into education and training. These include university programmes, MOOCs, and educational content on sustainable digital technologies. The goal is to raise awareness of the environmental impacts of AI and ICT among students and professionals.

Scientifically co-piloted by the CEA and Inria as part of the new “Digital, algorithms and software” programme. Its goal is to propose significant advances in the performance, security and frugality of cloud infrastructures and services while emphasising the transfer of innovative solutions from research to the industry.