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Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu says, ‘We must use our AI models; we cannot accept a new strategic dependence in the digital sphere’
PARIS, France – France’s domestic intelligence agency DGSI has decided to end its contract with US technology company Palantir in favor of French rival ChapsVision, Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said on Tuesday, June 16.
The move shows the increasing caution of European governments about the dependence on American technology platforms, and especially on Palantir Technologies’ product suite. Founded by billionaire Peter Thiel with the backing of the CIA, Palantir sells military-grade AI data integration tools to governments and businesses.
“We must use our own AI models; we cannot accept a new strategic dependence in the digital sphere,” Lecornu said in a video posted on X. “We cannot rely on tools made by foreign countries. France must have its own tools.”
Palantir and ChapsVision did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
US President Donald Trump’s unpredictability on the international stage has led European allies to question whether decades of US support in areas including security and technology can still be taken for granted.
Palantir has been among the most affected US technology companies, although last week Anthropic said “suddenly shut down” its most advanced AI models to all users after the US government ordered it to exclude foreign nationals from access, citing national security concerns.
Germany’s military has said it will no longer use Palantir, while Britain is reviewing its £330 million ($440 million) National Health Service data contract with Palantir following political and parliamentary pressure.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan also blocked Palantir’s proposed £50m contract with the capital’s police, citing value for money and procurement principles. Palantir threatened legal action in response.
Lecornu said France plans to invest €655 million ($760 million) in artificial intelligence, and introduce a common chatbot for all government services.
It will also create a public health portal for state-owned health insurance agency Ameli, and a new digital platform to ease access to public data. – Rappler.com
