The Saudi-French AI partnership gained momentum following bilateral meetings and agreements signed in Paris during the Franco-Saudi Strategic Partnership Council. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace to formalize cooperation across artificial intelligence, defense, transport, tourism, and cultural development, according to Arab News.
Expansion of the Saudi-French AI partnership
Under the evolving Saudi-French AI partnership, French firm Mistral AI and Saudi firm HUMAIN established a long-term strategic framework. This agreement focuses on shared computing power, the commercialization of new tools, and the joint development of advanced machine learning models. In addition, the two nations signed a memorandum of understanding establishing an official framework for collaboration in quantum technology and artificial intelligence.
Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Alswaha also conducted high-level discussions in Paris with executive leaders. Alswaha met with Pasqal leadership to review quantum computing hardware, and held talks with Advanced Machine Intelligence regarding foundational models, robotics, and automated systems for industrial use.
Bilateral Agreements Across Emerging Technologies
During his official visit, Minister Alswaha met with top gaming and entertainment leaders, including executives from Sony Group, Ubisoft, Riot Games, and Electronic Arts. The discussions centered on deploying intelligent algorithms to advance the gaming and digital content industries. Furthermore, talks with Thales Group covered data protection and cybersecurity safeguards for emerging technologies.
“The meetings aimed to expand high-impact partnerships, facilitate knowledge transfer, develop national capabilities, and strengthen the Kingdom’s position as a global hub for emerging technologies.”
Saudi Press Agency
Strategic Investments in Transport and Infrastructure
Alongside technological agreements, the bilateral council produced commercial deals in transportation and industrial development. Alstom secured a €500 million contract to deliver additional trainsets for the Riyadh Metro and agreed to support a local metro assembly facility for Line 7. Concurrently, CMA CGM and Red Sea Gateway Terminal agreed to invest €434 million to develop Terminal 4 at Jeddah Islamic Port.
In the entertainment and urban sectors, a €6 billion project in Cergy-Pontoise near Paris will establish three theme parks, expected to create 22,000 jobs. Bilateral cooperation on the ancient oasis city of AlUla was also extended until 2035, covering archaeological preservation, biosciences, and hospitality initiatives.
Expanding Bilateral Digital Cooperation
These high-level engagements reinforce the Saudi-French AI partnership as both nations expand investment into next-generation industrial capabilities. Supported by export financing packages through Bpifrance Assurance Export, the agreements advance local manufacturing, energy initiatives, and the broader digital economy leading into major global events hosted in Riyadh.
