President Emmanuel Macron stated at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi that France and the European Union will maintain their leading role in the global regulation of artificial intelligence, in coordination with allies such as India. Likewise, he presented Europe as a reliable environment for innovation and investment, which at the same time guarantees the protection of minors against digital abuse.
First modification: 02/19/2026 - 08:09 Last modification: 02/19/2026 - 08:10
French President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday at a global summit on artificial intelligence in India that he is determined to ensure safe oversight of the rapidly evolving technology.
The European Union has led global regulation with its Artificial Intelligence Law, adopted in 2024 and whose entry into force is gradual.
“We are determined to continue shaping the rules of the game… with our allies like India,” Macron declared in New Delhi.
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“Europe is not blindly focused on regulation: Europe is a space of innovation and investment, but it is a safe space,” he said.
At last year's AI summit in Paris, US Vice President JD Vance had warned against "overregulation" that "could kill a transformative sector."
Under EU law, regulators can ban AI systems deemed to be of "unacceptable risk" to society, such as the real-time identification of people using cameras in public spaces.
Macron, speaking at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, noted that France is "doubling the number of trained AI scientists and engineers," and that startups in the sector are creating "tens of thousands" of jobs.
Last month, French lawmakers approved a bill that would ban children under 15 from using social media, pending a vote in the Senate to become law, following a similar ban adopted by Australia in December.
"One of our priorities at the G7 will also be the protection of children from AI and digital abuse," Macron said on Thursday.
"There is no reason for our children to be exposed online to what is legally prohibited in the real world," he added.
France is "committed to this path" along with several European countries, Macron said, adding that he knows India "will join this club."
"Protecting our children is not just regulation. It is civilization," he concluded.
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