Google expands AI development with new hub in France

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Tech giant Google (NASDAQ: GOOGL) has confirmed plans to establish a research hub for artificial intelligence (AI) in France, continuing a trend for leading tech firms to set up innovation teams in European cities.

Google’s planned AI hub will host up to 300 researchers and machine learning engineers designed to accelerate the sector’s development. The research-focused hub will lead Google’s attempt at staving off industry competitors and ensuring proper regulatory compliance in the European Union.

“The investment by Google in France demonstrates once again how attractive France and Europe are for tech firms, particularly in the artificial intelligence area,” read a statement from the French Ministry of Finance.

Google’s research hub is expected to operate in Paris and involve extensive collaboration with French government agencies. The French capital has a budding track record in AI with several global players, including OpenAI and AI chip manufacturer Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA).

In 2015, Meta (NASDAQ: META) announced the establishment of its AI research team in Paris. The tech giant cited the country’s deep talent pool and existing bilateral agreements with government agencies and private sector firms for its expansion in Europe.

“We chose Paris for this expansion because France is home to some of the best researchers in the world,” read Meta’s statement. “We have a collaborative agreement in place with INRIA, a leading research institute in Paris, which opens up new joint study opportunities for talented research professionals, PhD students, and postdoctoral researchers.

Rather than merely focusing on generative AI, Google’s new research outfit will cover critical areas such as manufacturing, finance, security, and health verticals.

French President Emmanuel Macron has confirmed his country’s plan to catch up with the U.S. and the U.K. in emerging technologies sphere. To achieve these lofty ambitions, French government agencies are softening their stance toward global AI developers to stimulate growth in the local ecosystem.

Learning from its UK experience

After hinting at the launch of a research hub in Paris, Google confirmed its ambitious plans for training and upskilling EU residents with advanced AI skills alongside a plan to incubate startups.

“You need three things. You need to have clear rules of the road. You need people with the skills to work on it. And you need the companies to seize the opportunity,” said Google’s President for Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, Matt Brittin.

In the neighboring U.K., Google’s research team has agreed to provide researchers and regulators with priority and early access to all future AI models, with the company pledging $20 million for responsible AI initiatives across Europe.

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