OVHcloud Plans Frontier AI Models to Challenge Mistral

European entities are formulating responses to recent U.S. restrictions on advanced AI technologies. OVHcloud, identified as Europe's largest cloud provider, intends to develop its own sophisticated AI models. This initiative aims to establish OVHcloud as a European competitor to companies such as Mistral and to foster technological self-sufficiency within the continent. CEO Octave Klaba highlighted evolving economic conditions and the strategic importance of independence in AI development as primary motivations.

In parallel, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a significant investment package totaling £1.3 billion, designated for energy and AI projects. This announcement was made at the G7 summit. Starmer's government is also navigating U.S. export controls that affect advanced AI models, with no specific exemption being sought for these technologies.

French President Emmanuel Macron is set to lead discussions among G7 leaders and technology executives concerning the deployment of advanced AI models through trusted international partners. This meeting follows the U.S. decision to restrict foreign nationals' access to certain AI technologies, a move that has reportedly been met with dissatisfaction in Europe. Maurice Lévy, founder of VivaTech, stated that U.S. export controls on AI models, specifically mentioning Anthropic's, were "poorly received" in Europe, suggesting a divergence in international AI policy approaches.

Anthropic CEO has also called upon G7 leaders to prevent fragmentation in their strategies for artificial intelligence. The CEO emphasized the critical need for a unified approach to both the regulation and the advancement of AI technologies across nations.