France's AI founders raise the sovereignty alarm as Paris stays silent on a Macron-Lukashenko call
Mistral's Arthur Mensch and Dust's Gabriel Hubert warn that Europe is not building the AI sovereignty it needs and risks US "digital colonialism". Belarus state media said Emmanuel Macron initiated a Lukashenko call the Élysée has not confirmed; Juliana Lumumba opened her bid for OIF secretary-general against incumbent Louise Mushikiwabo, and the Army's DEMAIA project began fielding an AI target-detection module on Griffon armoured vehicles.
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fr88Mistral and Dust founders warn Europe risks US 'digital colonialism' in AI
French AI startup founders Gabriel Hubert of Dust and Arthur Mensch of Mistral AI warn the conditions for long-term European AI sovereignty are not in place. Mensch told a National Assembly commission on structural digital dependencies on May 12 that Europeans "do not have the time" before they risk a form of US "digital colonialism" and an EU reduced to a "vassal state". Hubert invokes de Gaulle's industrial policy and France's TGV and nuclear-plant programmes as the comparable scale of effort, warning that without low-cost, low-carbon, secure sovereign AI Europe will simply buy it from the Americans.
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Mistral and Dust founders warn Europe risks US 'digital colonialism' in AI
French AI startup founders Gabriel Hubert of Dust and Arthur Mensch of Mistral AI warn the conditions for long-term European AI sovereignty are not in place. Mensch told a National Assembly commission on structural digital dependencies on May 12 that Europeans "do not have the time" before they risk a form of US "digital colonialism" and an EU reduced to a "vassal state". Hubert invokes de Gaulle's industrial policy and France's TGV and nuclear-plant programmes as the comparable scale of effort, warning that without low-cost, low-carbon, secure sovereign AI Europe will simply buy it from the Americans.
French AI startup founders Gabriel Hubert of Dust and Arthur Mensch of Mistral AI warn the conditions for long-term European AI sovereignty are not in place. Mensch told a National Assembly commission on structural digital dependencies on May 12 that Europeans "do not have the time" before they risk a form of US "digital colonialism" and an EU reduced to a "vassal state". Hubert invokes de Gaulle's industrial policy and France's TGV and nuclear-plant programmes as the comparable scale of effort, warning that without low-cost, low-carbon, secure sovereign AI Europe will simply buy it from the Americans.
fr82Belarus Says Macron Initiated Phone Call with Lukashenko
Belarus claimed on May 24 that French President Emmanuel Macron initiated a phone call with Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, according to state-owned news outlet BelTA. The two discussed regional issues and Belarus's relations with the EU and France. The French presidency has not yet commented on the call.
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Belarus Says Macron Initiated Phone Call with Lukashenko
Belarus claimed on May 24 that French President Emmanuel Macron initiated a phone call with Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, according to state-owned news outlet BelTA. The two discussed regional issues and Belarus's relations with the EU and France. The French presidency has not yet commented on the call.
Belarus claimed on May 24 that French President Emmanuel Macron initiated a phone call with Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, according to state-owned news outlet BelTA. The two discussed regional issues and Belarus's relations with the EU and France. The French presidency has not yet commented on the call.
fr65Juliana Lumumba announces candidacy for OIF secretary-general, pledges reform
Juliana Lumumba, daughter of assassinated Congolese leader Patrice Lumumba and former culture minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has announced her candidacy for secretary-general of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF). In a campaign interview with RFI in Paris, she called for a 'Francophonie of the people' that moves beyond governments and elites to focus on youth, conflict mediation, and community engagement. Member states are set to vote in November 2026, with incumbent Louise Mushikiwabo also seeking re-election.
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Juliana Lumumba announces candidacy for OIF secretary-general, pledges reform
Juliana Lumumba, daughter of assassinated Congolese leader Patrice Lumumba and former culture minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has announced her candidacy for secretary-general of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF). In a campaign interview with RFI in Paris, she called for a 'Francophonie of the people' that moves beyond governments and elites to focus on youth, conflict mediation, and community engagement. Member states are set to vote in November 2026, with incumbent Louise Mushikiwabo also seeking re-election.
Juliana Lumumba, daughter of assassinated Congolese leader Patrice Lumumba and former culture minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has announced her candidacy for secretary-general of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF). In a campaign interview with RFI in Paris, she called for a 'Francophonie of the people' that moves beyond governments and elites to focus on youth, conflict mediation, and community engagement. Member states are set to vote in November 2026, with incumbent Louise Mushikiwabo also seeking re-election.
fr20French Army to equip Griffon armored vehicles with AI-based automatic detection system
The French Army's DEMAIA project has successfully installed an AI-based automatic target detection module on a Griffon multi-role armored vehicle. The system uses visible and infrared optical feeds to reduce crew cognitive load and will be progressively deployed on VTT and VOA variants starting this year, enhancing collaborative combat capabilities under the SCORPION program.
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French Army to equip Griffon armored vehicles with AI-based automatic detection system
The French Army's DEMAIA project has successfully installed an AI-based automatic target detection module on a Griffon multi-role armored vehicle. The system uses visible and infrared optical feeds to reduce crew cognitive load and will be progressively deployed on VTT and VOA variants starting this year, enhancing collaborative combat capabilities under the SCORPION program.
The French Army's DEMAIA project has successfully installed an AI-based automatic target detection module on a Griffon multi-role armored vehicle. The system uses visible and infrared optical feeds to reduce crew cognitive load and will be progressively deployed on VTT and VOA variants starting this year, enhancing collaborative combat capabilities under the SCORPION program.
fr18France orders fifth FDI frigate from Naval Group
The French defence procurement agency ordered a fifth Defence and Intervention Frigate (FDI) from Naval Group on 31 March 2026, completing a programme of five units for the French Navy. The order follows the fourth FDI ordered in December 2025. The FDI is a multi-role frigate capable across anti-air, anti-submarine, anti-surface, and asymmetric warfare, built to NATO standards. The total production run for the class now stands at nine vessels, including four ordered by Greece.
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France orders fifth FDI frigate from Naval Group
The French defence procurement agency ordered a fifth Defence and Intervention Frigate (FDI) from Naval Group on 31 March 2026, completing a programme of five units for the French Navy. The order follows the fourth FDI ordered in December 2025. The FDI is a multi-role frigate capable across anti-air, anti-submarine, anti-surface, and asymmetric warfare, built to NATO standards. The total production run for the class now stands at nine vessels, including four ordered by Greece.
The French defence procurement agency ordered a fifth Defence and Intervention Frigate (FDI) from Naval Group on 31 March 2026, completing a programme of five units for the French Navy. The order follows the fourth FDI ordered in December 2025. The FDI is a multi-role frigate capable across anti-air, anti-submarine, anti-surface, and asymmetric warfare, built to NATO standards. The total production run for the class now stands at nine vessels, including four ordered by Greece.