France announces its first Minister of AI amid its political chaos. Clara Chappaz, the La French Tech mission’s former director, has bagged the role in Michel Barnier’s new cabinet. Her role in the new cabinet is christened Secretary of State for AI and Digitalisation.
On 9th June 2024, widespread protests took place across France following the National Rally (RN) party’s win in the European Parliament elections. The victory led President Emmanuel Macron to dissolve parliament and call for snap elections, sparking public outrage.
“I am delighted to continue my commitment to public action on these major subjects of digital and artificial intelligence,” Clara Chappaz said in her LinkedIn post.
The position did not previously have ‘AI’ in it. It was added to highlight France’s ambition to lead in technology and meet President Emmanuel Macron’s ambition to turn Paris into the “city of AI”.
Following the dissolution of France’s National Assembly in early June and the recent appointment of Michel Barnier as prime minister, the tech sector has been in limbo, unsure of who would step into the role of digital minister.
At 35, Chappaz will now report to the Ministry of Higher Education and Research, a shift from her predecessor, who was under the Ministry of Economy and Finance. Chappaz has an impressive track record as the head of La French Tech, where during her three years in charge, she introduced an optional parity pact, which has since been signed by more than 700 start-ups.
