AMD and top-level representatives of the French government made a major announcement regarding their strategic partnership that will help fast-track the National Strategy for AI in France. The joint effort centers around enhancing the availability of local artificial intelligence capabilities in terms of advanced computing power, nurturing innovation in-house, and securing France’s position as one of the best AI destinations worldwide.
The agreement under the Letter of Intent was made in the Paris office of the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Industrial, Energy and Digital Sovereignty. Keith Strier, SVP of Global AI Markets at AMD, became a part of the ministerial delegation, which also included Philippe Baptiste (Minister of Higher Education, Research and Space), Sébastien Martin (Minister Delegate for Industry), and Anne Le Hénanff (Minister Delegate for Artificial Intelligence and Digital).
Empowering Researchers and Startups
This multi-year strategic collaboration is designed to cultivate French AI talent through a three-pillared approach: infrastructure, research, and education. To ensure the resilience and diversity of the local ecosystem, AMD will provide hardware, software, and specialized training via its globally recognized initiatives:
AMD University Program
AMD AI Developer Program
AMD AI Academy
Harnessing the Power of ‘Alice Recoque’
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Central to the partnership is a deepened collaboration with GENCI, the Jules Verne Consortium, and CEA to support Alice Recoque-projected to be France’s first exascale supercomputer. Powered by next-generation AMD technology, Alice Recoque will serve as the heart of the “AI Factory France” project.
To maximize the impact of this sovereign asset, the partners plan to establish a Center of Excellence. This facility will provide the technical expertise, training, and support required to fully harness the supercomputer’s performance for both public research and private industrial breakthroughs.
“France has all the assets needed to assert its central role in the development of artificial intelligence: world-class fundamental and applied research, globally renowned engineers, and unique infrastructures in Europe. Through this partnership with AMD, we are strengthening our scientific and academic ecosystem by providing high-quality support to our researchers, teachers, and students, granting them unprecedented access to cutting-edge infrastructures. The Alice Recoque supercomputer, operated by GENCI and the CEA, marks a decisive step in enhancing our research and innovation capabilities, both in the public and private sectors. I am convinced that this will enable us to better meet the scientific challenges of our time,” said Philippe Baptiste, Minister of Higher Education, Research and Space.
“AMD not only brings the technology and expertise to power Alice Recoque but also commits to working with the French Government on the local economic and social benefits of the research undertaken. This letter of intent paves the way for a fruitful public-private collaboration. It will contribute to France’s ambitious strategy for technological sovereignty. France must become a global leader in AI, not only in research, but also in the AI value chain, from electronics to software, focusing on value creation,” said Sébastien Martin, Minister Delegate for Industry.
Infrastructure as a Foundation for Sovereignty
As AI becomes an essential utility for modern economies, the partnership reinforces France’s digital autonomy by building a robust domestic supply chain-from the silicon layer to software execution.
“There is no AI without infrastructure. Building a strong and sustainable digital future requires working across the entire value chain and diversifying our partnerships. I welcome AMD’s strong commitment to engaging with our startup ecosystem and contributing to a more resilient and innovative landscape,” said Anne Le Hénanff, Minister Delegate for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Affairs.
“France has implemented one of the most ambitious national AI programs in Europe, capitalizing on its robust AI ecosystem, world-class academic programs and an advanced energy and data infrastructure. AMD looks forward to providing the workbench to expand the frontiers of industrial and scientific innovation in France, and maximize the upside of sovereign AI investments, by enabling France’s AI community to harness AMD’s broad portfolio of high-performance computing platforms and open software ecosystem,” said Keith Strier, Senior Vice President, Global AI Markets, AMD.