Europe's Strategic Push for AI: Bruno Le Maire Calls for Unified Investment and Innovation

Bruno Le Maire, former French Minister of Economy and current advisor to ASML, has articulated a crucial strategy for Europe to bolster its position in artificial intelligence (AI) amidst global competition from the United States and China. Speaking in a statement reported by La Tribune on November 13, 2025, Le Maire stressed that Europe risks losing the AI war if it remains fragmented geographically and economically. He underscored the necessity for European cooperation, particularly among key technology clients and producers, to develop indigenous AI capacities.

A significant proposal by Le Maire is to mandate that at least 30% of semiconductors used in Europe originate from within the continent. This initiative aims to reduce dependence on American and Chinese suppliers and strengthen the European tech ecosystem. Furthermore, Le Maire advocates for decisive financial measures akin to those enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic: "Borrowing for the future is a fundamental choice," he declared, urging Europe to collectively invest in AI development.

This vision is supported by industry leaders such as Pascal Cagni, president of Business France, who highlighted the continent’s market potential with 450 million consumers. Additionally, Patrick Martin, president of Medef, indicated that European companies are increasingly adopting AI technologies to enhance productivity and customer satisfaction, citing examples like SNCF’s AI chatbots, which have doubled customer response quality.

However, the integration of AI raises concerns about job displacement. Le Maire and Medef have called for proactive policies, including educational reforms aimed at preparing youth for AI-related careers and balanced public funding for innovation. They also emphasize the need to maintain a regulatory balance between fostering innovation and protecting data privacy.

Overall, these developments illustrate Europe’s strategic efforts to assert itself in the competitive AI landscape by uniting economic, technological, and policy actions to support sustainable growth and technological sovereignty.