🇫🇷 French, 14 October 2026, national security
France Considers AI a Matter of National Security
French government holds defense council meeting to discuss AI risks and implications for national security and sovereignty.
The French government has elevated AI to a matter of national security, considering it a strategic domain that affects the country’s sovereignty. This decision was made during a defense council meeting held by President Emmanuel Macron on October 14. The meeting aimed to examine the risks associated with AI development and its uses in both private and public sectors.
The council’s objective is to study the consequences of AI on national security and sovereignty, as well as to define priorities for France and Europe. Private actors are also not exempt from this reflection, with the government seeking to anticipate new risks and threats.
The integration of AI in the armed forces is also being considered, with potential uses including data collection, processing, and exploitation, as well as decision-making support.