AI Summit 2026: French President Macron says he is determined to ‘make rules’ with allies at AI summit

Speaking at the Global Artificial Intelligence Summit in India on Thursday, French President Emmanuel Macron vowed to monitor the fast-growing technology safely.

The European Union has led the way in global regulation with its Artificial Intelligence Act, which was approved in 2024 and is being phased in.

“We have decided to continue to shape the rules of the game with our allies like India,” Macron said in New Delhi.

“Europe is not blindly focused on regulation; Europe is a place for innovation and investment, but it is also a safe place.”

At last year’s AI Summit in Paris, US Vice President JD Vance warned against excessive regulation that could “destroy a transformative sector”.

Under EU laws, regulators can ban AI systems that pose “unacceptable risks” to society, such as using cameras in public places to identify people in real time.

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Speaking at the AI ​​Impact Summit in New Delhi, Macron said France was “doubling the number of trained AI scientists and engineers”, with new startups in the field creating “dozens” of jobs.

Last month, French lawmakers approved a bill to ban social media use by under-15s awaiting a Senate vote before becoming law, after a similar ban was imposed by Australia in December.

“One of our G7 priorities, as well, is the protection of children against AI and digital abuse,” Macron said on Thursday.

“There is no reason for our children to be exposed online to something that is legally prohibited in the real world,” he said.

France is “committed here on this journey” along with many European countries, Macron said, adding that he knows India will “join this club”.

“Protecting our children is not regulation, so it is civility,” he said.