Macron: French AI can challenge ‘insane’ dominance of US and China

French President Emmanuel Macron has called for his country’s AI leaders to challenge the “insane” dominance of US and Chinese tech giants. Macron’s plea comes amid a boom period for French AI. Led by OpenAI rival Mistral, the country has become a European hotbed for artificial intelligence.  The blend of highly-skilled talent, increased government support, and growing investment streams has created fertile ground for startups. Mistral, the sector’s darling, is barely a year old and already reportedly seeking a $6bn valuation.