Canadian investment firm Brookfield has announced plans to invest €20 billion in artificial intelligence projects in France by 2030, according to a report from La Tribune Dimanche confirmed by news agency AFP. This significant investment is expected to primarily focus on building AI-focused data centers, with the majority of the sum allocated towards a massive data center in Cambrai, northern France, with a capacity of up to one gigawatt.

This announcement comes as heads of state and global tech leaders prepare to gather for the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit in Paris, starting on Monday. The investment is part of a larger trend of massive investments in AI infrastructure in France, with the country positioning itself as an attractive location for tech companies looking to reduce their carbon footprint and find sufficient electricity capacity.

France's unique energy profile, with around 65% of its electricity production coming from nuclear power plants and 25% from renewable sources, makes it an attractive location for power-hungry data centers. The country also produces more electricity than it needs, making it an ideal spot for tech companies looking to set up AI-focused data centers.

In addition to Brookfield's investment, other commitments from local companies have been announced. Bpifrance, France's public investment bank, plans to invest up to €10 billion in the AI ecosystem in France, primarily focusing on backing AI startups and becoming a limited partner in VC firms specialized in AI investments. Iliad, the telecom company founded by French billionaire Xavier Niel, is allocating €3 billion towards AI investments, with the help of financial partners, such as Infravia. Around €2.5 billion will be used to build new AI-focused data centers with hundreds of megawatts of capacity.

The recent announcements are not isolated incidents. On Friday, France and the United Arab Emirates announced an AI campus project, with an investment of up to €50 billion. Most of this investment will also go towards building a data center with a capacity of up to one gigawatt. These mega-investment projects are likely a response to the Stargate Project, a $500 billion investment program to build multiple data centers for AI in the United States, unveiled by OpenAI, SoftBank, MGX, and other partners on January 21.

The Stargate Project, combined with Mario Draghi's recent report on European competitiveness, has acted as a wake-up call for many policy-makers in Europe, prompting them to take action to remain competitive in the AI landscape. France, in particular, is positioning itself as a hub for AI innovation, with these investments expected to have a significant impact on the country's economy and its standing in the global AI community.

In total, France could receive €83 billion in AI-related investments in the coming years, primarily related to data centers and infrastructure projects. As the AI Action Summit gets underway, it will be interesting to see if more announcements are made, further solidifying France's position as a leader in AI innovation.

The implications of these investments are far-reaching, with the potential to create thousands of jobs, drive economic growth, and establish France as a hub for AI innovation. As the AI landscape continues to evolve, it will be crucial to monitor the progress of these investments and their impact on the global AI community.