Via global consortium pact
Bpifrance, the French national investment bank; MGX, the UAE investment fund focused on AI and advanced technology; Mistral AI, the leader in generative AI; and Nvidia, the world leader in AI computing infrastructure, have announced plans to build Europe’s largest AI Campus in the Paris region.
The groundbreaking joint venture, revealed during the Choose France Summit at Versailles, is set to reshape Europe’s AI landscape.
The ambitious project will develop a state-of-the-art campus dedicated to AI innovation, training, and deployment, with a planned energy capacity of up to 1.4 gigawatts. The initiative represents one of the most significant technology investments in Europe’s history, while aiming to position France as a global leader in sovereign and sustainable AI infrastructure.
Construction of the AI Campus is expected to begin in the second half of 2026, with operational readiness targeted for 2028. Once live, the facility will host some of the most powerful computing resources in the world, tailored for developing next-generation AI systems.
Reveal of the AI Campus project in the Paris region follows the recent announcement of the launch of the largest AI Campus outside the US, scheduled to be set up in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
The Paris region was chosen for its strategic advantages, including proximity to Europe’s leading research institutions, industrial clusters, and digital connectivity corridors. The Campus is expected to become a magnet for AI startups, researchers, and multinational enterprises.
UAE-France collaboration
The AI Campus forms part of broader AI cooperation agreements established between the UAE and France at the AI Action Summit earlier this year. Endorsed by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and French President Emmanuel Macron, the initiative deepens bilateral collaboration in advanced technologies.
France’s Minister of Economy and Digital Sovereignty, Eric Lombard, and Khaldoon Al Mubarak, Chairman of the UAE’s Executive Affairs Authority, witnessed the venture’s signing in Paris. The joint effort underscores a shared ambition: to build a resilient and scalable AI ecosystem within Europe that aligns with climate goals and national digital strategies.
The Campus will be Europe’s first purpose-built AI hub, enabling end-to-end AI development—from model training and inference to real-world applications. Its infrastructure will feature exascale-class computing and sovereign cloud systems hosted in low-carbon hyperscale data centres.
This open platform will accelerate AI adoption across key healthcare, energy, mobility, finance, and advanced manufacturing sectors. With its deep integration into France’s innovation clusters, the AI Campus aims to become a centre of excellence for European research, development, and deployment of generative AI.
Ecosystem partners
An impressive line-up of ecosystem partners further reinforces the project’s scale and ambition. French construction and telecoms giant Bouygues, energy leader EDF Group, academic powerhouse École Polytechnique, electricity transmission operator RTE, and fibre infrastructure provider Sipartech have joined the initiative, each bringing critical capabilities.
École Polytechnique will contribute to research, education, and talent development. The institution plans to establish a dedicated chair and fund AI-focused PhD projects, including collaborations with the UAE’s Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence.
EDF Group will support the Campus with low-carbon energy expertise, while Sipartech will deliver high-speed digital connectivity to ensure seamless integration with Europe’s wider tech infrastructure.
Nicolas Dufourcq, CEO of Bpifrance, highlighted the project’s strategic significance: “This transformative initiative strengthens France’s technological sovereignty and global leadership in AI. It showcases our ability to deliver cutting-edge infrastructure that attracts top global talent.”
Ahmed Yahia, CEO of MGX, stressed the broader societal vision: “We believe AI will be the defining force of this century. This Campus reflects our commitment to open, enduring infrastructure that powers breakthroughs in science, education, and economic growth across Europe.”
Arthur Mensch, Co-Founder and CEO of Mistral AI, added: “This is a pivotal step in reinforcing France’s position in the global AI race. The Campus will support innovation across public and private sectors, laying the groundwork for robust and sustainable AI ecosystems.”
Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, also praised the initiative: “This is transformational infrastructure—built in France, for France, to empower the country in the age of AI. It will drive revolutions in science, education, and industry.”
The joint venture sends a strong message: Europe is not only ready to compete in the global AI arena—it is prepared to lead. Backed by two governments, cutting-edge tech companies, and major industrial players, the AI Campus will be a cornerstone of European efforts to build a sovereign, ethical, and sustainable AI future.
Image: Stakeholders sign the joint venture partnership in Paris. Credit: Bpifrance
