Senior executives at prominent French technology firms are sounding alarms over proposed immigration restrictions by the far-right National Rally party, which they argue could jeopardize France’s aspirations to lead Europe in artificial intelligence (AI) development.
Following significant losses for President Emmanuel Macron’s Renaissance party in the recent European Parliament elections, Macron announced snap elections for the lower house of parliament, scheduled for June 30 with a run-off on July 7. Macron has prioritized supporting domestic tech enterprises by facilitating international hiring for startups, lobbying against perceived overly stringent EU regulations, and attracting investments from global giants like Amazon and Microsoft.
In contrast, Marine Le Pen’s National Rally, expected to gain substantial seats in the upcoming elections, has pledged to reduce migrant worker numbers and impose stricter controls on foreign investment. Tech leaders fear these policies could undermine France’s efforts to cement itself as a hub for AI innovation.
Julien Launay, CEO of AI startup Adaptive ML, emphasized the critical role skilled immigration plays in the tech sector: “In previous startups I’ve been involved with, skilled immigration to France was pivotal in attracting talent, particularly students who studied here, interned with various companies, and ultimately chose to stay. This pipeline of young talent is invaluable.”
Camille Lemardeley, general director of Paris-based education startup Superprof, echoed concerns about the RN’s immigration stance impacting the business environment: “Strict immigration controls and preferences for national employment could hinder innovation and competitiveness, not only for Superprof but for the broader French tech ecosystem.”
France has recently heightened its global profile in AI, hosting the prestigious VivaTech conference in Paris where international business and political leaders gather annually. However, Hugo Weber, head of public affairs at Mirakl, a Parisian e-commerce firm specializing in AI solutions, cautioned that the RN’s proposed policies might deter foreign investment and talent recruitment crucial for sustaining France’s tech leadership.
“I am worried about French startups’ ability to attract funding and talent, especially in the AI sector,” Weber emphasized, underlining the potential adverse effects on France’s tech ecosystem.
The National Rally party declined to comment on these concerns.
The debate underscores a pivotal moment for France’s tech sector, where political decisions on immigration could profoundly impact its competitiveness and ability to innovate in the burgeoning field of artificial intelligence.
