‘Open source' model: why France wants to work closely with China on AI
In both China and the United States, the rush to develop artificial intelligence is often viewed through a Cold War lens: as an arms race between two rival superpowers.
Advertisement
But France – and Europe more broadly – aims to break out of this model. It is pursuing a 'collaborative approach' to developing AI, and that means it is willing to work closely with both Beijing and Washington on key issues.
In an interview with the Post, the French consul general in Hong Kong, Christile Drulhe, said that although 'each country would like to develop its own ecosystem', they share 'a lot of common interests' when it comes to AI.
'How do we regulate AI technologies at the international level to avoid potential risks for mankind?' she said. 'How can we help scientists or start-ups from around the world drive progress by sharing open-source technologies?'
France is not shying away from competition. It has set a national strategy of positioning itself as an 'AI powerhouse', and in February the French government announced it would invest €109 billion (US$118 billion) on AI infrastructure projects.
Advertisement
Meanwhile, the US-China rivalry has continued to intensify. Washington has
launched a string of measures to curtail China's access to cutting-edge semiconductors, while Beijing has
placed export curbs on some of the minerals US companies need to make those chips.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTHK
2 hours ago
- RTHK
SAR to target markets with 'the best returns': CE
SAR to target markets with 'the best returns': CE The CE says the government will do more to connect with more countries and regions around the world. Photo: RTHK Frank Yung reports Hong Kong should set its sights on markets with "the best returns in the shortest time" as the government connects with more countries and regions around the world, the city's leader has said. Chief Executive John Lee said while many private businesses have started seeking new markets to diversify risks amid the Sino-US tariffs war, there's a need for his administration to do the same. "There are just so many different parts of this world that we can do good business and build relations with. I'll expand my network. I'll not just focus on one or two countries or markets," he said. To generate the best returns for Hong Kong, it should look for potential markets that are mutually attractive, the CE said. He added they must also place emphasis on the country and the SAR. Lee has made several overseas visits, including to Asean countries and the Middle East, to help promote the city. On possible future trips, he said there's room to develop trade with South American countries, and the Central Asia region also has potential. Belt and Road countries are also under the administration's radar, according to the city's leader. He acknowledged the presence of both "supporting forces" and "counter-currents" in the SAR's charm offensive. "[When] the counter-current is against me, if I still want to swim in that direction, I swim double fast, I make double the effort. I'm asking everybody in the government to double the effort, tell Hong Kong's true story," Lee said. The CE added that Hong Kong must work hard to continue attracting investment and professionals from outside the territory. "Investment is something that drives changes, investment is also something that drives talents to come and talents to remain, because investment leads to actual business," he said.
South China Morning Post
2 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Chinese carmaker GAC's electric-van unit takes aim at Ford and Stellantis in Europe
A commercial-vehicle subsidiary of China's state-owned carmaker GAC Group has its sights set on Europe, where it hopes its electric vans can lure corporate buyers away from petroleum-powered models built by the likes of Ford and Stellantis. Advertisement Xiao Ning, CEO of Miraco Motor, told the Post that the company would launch its first model in Europe next year. It aims to grab 10 per cent of the European market, where more than 1.7 million vehicles of this type are sold each year for public transport, goods delivery, emergency services and commuting. 'Electric commercial vehicles have an overwhelming advantage over petrol rivals because of electricity's lower cost than gasoline,' he said. 'Our van will compete against six to seven rivals there, and we think it's reasonable to target a 10 per cent share.' Established in late 2023 and based, like GAC, in Guangzhou in southern China's Guangdong province, the company is displaying its prototype models in Hong Kong at the International Automotive & Supply Chain Expo, which ends on Sunday. Miraco's battery-powered vans can go as far as 350km on a single charge. Xiao said the company also planned to offer autonomous-driving systems so that its vans could vie for a share of the robotaxi industry around the world. Advertisement The company uses a modular design approach that separates the drivetrain components from the cabin and cargo areas, to make it easier to spin out new models. Its first production model, a minibus, would hit the Hong Kong market this year, he said.
South China Morning Post
2 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
HKEX to connect Asian start-ups with worldwide investors as exchange marks silver jubilee
Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX) will broaden its role to connect companies across Asia with global capital through secondary listings in the city, the bourse operator's chairman said. HKEX is already linked with 20 of the world's stock exchanges through mutual recognition agreements, a technical accreditation that lets companies listed in Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi sell additional shares in Hong Kong. 'There is certainly interest among Asian companies to tap [global and mainland Chinese] funds in Hong Kong, indicating that Hong Kong can be a major regional connector [besides] its core position connecting China with the world,' Carlson Tong Ka-shing said in an interview this week after attending the World Federation of Exchanges board meeting in Singapore. Two Singapore-based companies listed in Hong Kong this year, while a Thai coconut-water producer based in the Lion City is also in the queue to raise funds in Hong Kong. Carlson Tong Ka-shing, chairman of the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX), during an interview on June 11, 2025. Photo: Edmond So.
