France's domestic intelligence agency is moving away from AI data tools supplied by the US-based company Palantir in favor of a local alternative, as part of a strategy to minimize "strategic dependency," announced Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu.
Lecornu emphasized on social media the importance of adopting French-made AI models, stating, "We cannot accept new strategic dependencies in the digital landscape. Relying on tools developed by foreign powers is not an option. France needs its own technologies."
European governments have increasingly expressed concern over their reliance on technologies controlled by the United States. The previous week, the US government announced limitations on foreign access to the latest AI model from Anthropic.
According to Lecornu’s office, the French intelligence agency DGSI intends to substitute Palantir’s offerings with solutions from the domestic firm ChapsVision. However, since the contract with Palantir was extended through 2025, it might take several years to fully transition.
Lecornu articulated the necessity for France to "achieve true autonomy" and "avoid depending on the goodwill of partners who can easily restrict access to AI resources."
ChapsVision, established in 2019, is projected to generate €200 million in revenue in 2025, compared to Palantir’s $4.5 billion. The firm aims to serve as the "technological foundation" for various public agencies with critical data processing requirements. Additionally, ChapsVision's technology has reportedly been chosen by Germany's internal security agency, BfV. Palantir has stated its commitment to continue supporting the French government with its solutions.
Palantir, co-founded by billionaire Peter Thiel—an ally of former President Donald Trump—has faced scrutiny for its partnerships with the US government, including its role in immigration enforcement via ICE and other military operations. Critics argue that the company's products raise significant concerns surrounding surveillance, personal freedoms, and data protection, though Palantir maintains that it offers robust data-processing capabilities.
Germany's military has ceased using Palantir's services, and in the UK, there is an ongoing review of a £330 million data contract with the National Health Service amid political scrutiny. Additionally, London Mayor Sadiq Khan has halted a proposed £50 million contract with Palantir for the Metropolitan Police, citing concerns over value and procurement, with Palantir now threatening legal action.
In a bid to advance its AI capabilities, Lecornu announced on Tuesday plans for a €655 million investment in artificial intelligence, which includes the development of a shared chatbot for all governmental services, along with a health-focused chatbot for the state-run health insurance agency, Ameli.
This investment aims to enhance infrastructure, computing power, research, and support for various industries. France has also initiated the rollout of a government chatbot for 1 million of its 2.6 million civil servants, leveraging technology from the French startup Mistral AI, designed to facilitate faster legal processes and assist researchers in securing funding while addressing the security risks associated with commercial AI solutions.
