Microsoft and Amazon are making significant investments in France, bolstering the country’s tech infrastructure and potential for innovation, particularly in artificial intelligence and cloud computing. Microsoft announced a €4 billion investment to develop data centers, marking its largest commitment in France since entering the market 41 years ago. This investment aims to enhance AI and cloud services facilities, including a new data center in eastern France and expansions in Paris and Marseille.
Amazon also plans to invest over €1.2 billion, creating more than 3,000 jobs. This funding will expand Amazon Web Services’ (AWS) capabilities in AI and improve the logistical operations of its delivery services. AWS itself generated $25 billion globally in Q1 from its burgeoning cloud and AI services, reflecting the increasing demand for these technologies.
These investments coincide with the seventh Choose France Summit, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron at the Chateau of Versailles, which focuses on attracting foreign investors to France. The timing of these announcements underlines the strategic importance of France in the European tech landscape, noted for its commitment to carbon-free energy markets and leadership in technological innovation.
Additionally, other sectors such as pharmaceuticals and industrial manufacturing are also seeing substantial investments. Pfizer and AstraZeneca are among those pledging over a billion euros to France’s health sector, and a European consortium, FertigHy, plans to invest €1.3 billion in a low-emission fertiliser factory in northern France. These developments collectively signal a robust influx of foreign capital, job creation, and advanced technological infrastructure development in France.