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President Emmanuel Macron told the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi that France and the EU would continue to lead the way for global regulation of artificial intelligence, in partnership with allies including India, describing Europe as "a safe space" for innovation and investment that protects children from digital abuse.
By: FRANCE 24 France's President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech during the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi on February 19, 2026. © Ludovic Marin, AFP French President Emmanuel Macron told a global artificial intelligence summit in India on Thursday he was determined to ensure safe oversight of the fast-evolving technology.
The European Union has led the way for global regulation with its Artificial Intelligence Act, which was adopted in 2024 and is coming into force in phases.
"We are determined to continue to shape the rules of the game... with our allies such as India," Macron said in New Delhi.
"Europe is not blindly focused on regulation – Europe is a space for innovation and investment, but it is a safe space."
At last year's AI summit in Paris, US Vice President JD Vance had warned against "excessive regulation" that "could kill a transformative sector".
Read moreAlly or threat? Paris summit weighs AI's impact on democracy
Under EU laws, regulators can ban AI systems deemed to pose "unacceptable risks" to society, such as identifying people in real time using cameras in public spaces.
Macron, speaking at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, said France was "doubling the number of AI scientists and engineers trained", with new startups in the sector creating "dozens of thousands" of jobs.
Last month, French lawmakers passed a bill that would ban social media use for under-15s, which awaits a Senate vote before becoming law, following a similar ban enacted by Australia in December.
"One of our G7 priorities will be, as well, children's protection against AI and digital abuse," Macron said Thursday.
"There is no reason our children should be exposed online to what is legally forbidden in the real world," he said.
France is "committed here in this journey" with several European countries, Macron said, adding that he knows India "will join this club".
"Protecting our children is not regulation, as well. It is civilization," he said.
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