Artificial Intelligence is rapidly transforming the way societies learn, work, innovate, and compete. Across the globe, governments, universities, industries, and startups are investing heavily in AI as they seek to unlock new opportunities in economic growth, scientific discovery, public services, and technological advancement.
Among the countries leading this transformation is France, which has emerged as one of the world's foremost AI powers. Home to a thriving ecosystem of research institutions, technology companies, startups, and world-class universities, France has developed a comprehensive approach that combines scientific excellence, innovation, infrastructure, and responsible governance. The country's growing influence was further highlighted during the AI Action Summit held in Paris in 2025, which brought together representatives from more than 100 countries to discuss the future of artificial intelligence and international cooperation.
At the same time, Indonesia is accelerating its own AI journey as part of its broader vision for Indonesia Emas 2045. With one of Southeast Asia's largest digital economies, a young and dynamic population, and increasing investments in science and technology, Indonesia is positioning itself to become a major player in the global AI landscape. Against this backdrop, collaboration between France and Indonesia is becoming increasingly important, particularly during the France–Indonesia Year of Innovation 2026, which has strengthened partnerships in higher education, research, technology, and innovation.
One of the leading figures advancing this dialogue is Professor Frédéric Pascal, a prominent French expert in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and signal processing. He serves as Vice President for Artificial Intelligence at Université Paris-Saclay and Director of the DATAIA Institute, one of France's premier AI research hubs. Through his work, Professor Pascal promotes collaboration between academia, industry, and government while advancing responsible, human-centered AI innovation. Widely recognized for his contributions to AI research and education, he plays an important role in shaping France's position as a global leader in artificial intelligence.
During his recent visit to Jakarta, Bandung, and Surabaya, Professor Pascal engaged with Indonesian students, researchers, academics, and technology communities through a series of seminars and discussions. He shared valuable insights on France's AI success story, the importance of responsible innovation, emerging opportunities for bilateral cooperation, and the skills future generations will need to thrive in an increasingly AI-driven world.
As artificial intelligence becomes one of the defining technologies of the twenty-first century, the France–Indonesia partnership offers tremendous potential. By connecting universities, researchers, startups, industries, and policymakers, both countries can build a stronger innovation ecosystem that promotes knowledge exchange, develops future talent, and advances responsible AI for the benefit of society. The future of AI will not be shaped by any single nation alone, but through international collaboration—and France and Indonesia are well-positioned to become trusted partners in shaping that future together.
In this special interview, Professor Frédéric Pascal shares his perspectives on the evolution of artificial intelligence, the future of France–Indonesia cooperation, and the opportunities that lie ahead for the next generation of innovators.
France has positioned itself as a global leader in artificial intelligence, with a strong ecosystem and international initiatives. From your perspective, what are the key factors behind France’s success in building a competitive and responsible AI ecosystem?
France’s success in artificial intelligence is the result of a long-term national strategy built around a complete continuum linking education, research, innovation, and industrial deployment. Over the past several years, the French government has made substantial investments in AI through dedicated funding programs that support both fundamental research education projects and technology transfer. Another important factor is the investment in computing infrastructure and advanced computational resources, which are essential for training and developing state-of-the-art AI systems.
Beyond funding, France has made a strategic choice regarding the organization of its AI ecosystem. The government has encouraged the development of large AI clusters embedded within major academic institutions, like Institute DataIA Paris-Saclay, acting as catalysts that bring together universities, research organizations, companies, startups, and public stakeholders. This model has proven highly effective in fostering collaboration and accelerating innovation.
National coordination, led by Inria in France, has also played a critical role. By aligning efforts across ministries, research institutions, and industry, France has been able to create a coherent and ambitious AI strategy.
Finally, the emergence of globally recognized AI companies, such as Mistral AI, demonstrates the growing maturity of the French ecosystem and its ability to transform scientific excellence into economic value (CEO of Mistral AI was a doctoral student within a lab affiliated to DataIA Institute. Together, these elements have enabled France to become one of the leading AI nations while maintaining a strong commitment to responsible and trustworthy AI.
Indonesia is rapidly developing its AI capabilities as part of its vision for “Indonesia Emas 2045.” How do you see the potential for collaboration between France and Indonesia in advancing AI research, education, and innovation?
I see tremendous opportunities for collaboration between France and Indonesia. Both countries recognize the strategic importance of artificial intelligence and understand that talent development is the foundation of long-term success.
One of the most promising areas is academic mobility. We can strengthen exchanges of students, PhD candidates, researchers, and faculty members through scholarships, internships and visiting professor programs. Such initiatives not only facilitate knowledge transfer but also create lasting scientific networks.
Joint research activities also offer significant potential. Organizing collaborative workshops, research seminars, and international conferences would allow French and Indonesian researchers to address common scientific challenges and develop innovative solutions together.
Innovation and entrepreneurship should be another pillar of cooperation. Programs enabling startups from both countries to explore each other's ecosystems could help entrepreneurs better understand international markets, identify opportunities for collaboration, and accelerate innovation. By connecting our research institutions, industries, and startup communities, we can create a dynamic partnership that benefits both nations.
As Vice President for Artificial Intelligence at Université Paris-Saclay and Director of the DATAIA Institute, how do you approach balancing cutting-edge AI research with ethical considerations and responsible innovation?
For me, excellence in AI research and responsible innovation must go hand in hand. Technological progress can only be sustainable if it is accompanied by a strong commitment to ethics, transparency, and societal impact.
At Université Paris-Saclay, we have implemented a comprehensive AI charter that provides guidance for students, faculty members, researchers, and administrative staff on the responsible use of artificial intelligence, including generative AI technologies. This framework is complemented by dedicated training programs designed to help our community understand both the opportunities and the limitations of these tools.
Another essential aspect is interdisciplinarity. At DataIA and Université Paris-Saclay, we actively encourage collaboration between computer scientists, mathematicians, economists, legal scholars, social scientists, and experts from many other disciplines. AI is not only a technological challenge; it is also a societal one. Addressing issues such as fairness, accountability, privacy, and governance requires diverse perspectives.
I believe that Europe is currently building a distinctive approach to AI based on trust, responsibility, and human-centered innovation. This “third way” seeks to combine scientific excellence and economic competitiveness with strong ethical principles. France has all the assets necessary to play a leading role in shaping this vision for the future of AI.
During your seminar series across Jakarta, Bandung, and Surabaya, what key messages or insights do you hope Indonesian students and researchers will take away regarding the future of machine learning and signal processing?
My main message is that artificial intelligence is evolving at an extraordinary pace. New models, methods, and applications emerge continuously, making lifelong learning more important than ever. Regardless of one's profession or field of study, staying informed and continuously developing new skills will be essential.
I also encourage students and researchers to cultivate a strong critical mindset. AI systems can produce impressive results, but they can also make mistakes, generate biases, or provide inaccurate information. The ability to question, verify, and critically assess AI-generated outputs will become a fundamental competency.
Finally, I would emphasize that AI is no longer a technology reserved for specialists. It is already present in nearly every sector of society and the economy. Whether someone works in engineering, medicine, business, law, education, or the arts, AI will increasingly become part of their professional environment. The challenge is therefore not whether to engage with AI, but how to engage with it effectively and responsibly.
With AI increasingly shaping industries and societies worldwide, what skills and competencies should the next generation of Indonesian talent focus on to remain competitive in the global AI landscape?
The answer depends partly on the individual's field of study and career aspirations.
For students in mathematics, computer science, data science, and engineering, a strong foundation in theoretical disciplines remains essential. Advances in AI ultimately rely on deep expertise in mathematics, algorithms, optimization, statistics, and computing systems. These skills will enable future generations to develop and train the next wave of AI technologies while adapting them to Indonesia’s specific needs and contexts.
For students and professionals in other disciplines, the priority is to develop a solid understanding of how AI works and how it can be effectively integrated into their own fields. They do not necessarily need to become AI specialists, but they should understand the fundamentals of AI, its capabilities, its limitations, and its societal implications. That is what we try to develop throught our learning-by-doing platform of AI education: www.brevetAI.fr. Please take a look!
Across all disciplines, I believe three competencies will become increasingly important: digital literacy, critical thinking, and adaptability. The ability to learn continuously, collaborate across disciplines, and use AI tools responsibly will be among the most valuable skills in the future global economy.
Building the Future Together
As artificial intelligence continues to reshape economies, industries, and societies, the importance of international collaboration has never been greater. The conversation with Professor Frédéric Pascal highlights not only France's remarkable achievements in AI research and innovation, but also the vast opportunities that lie ahead for deeper cooperation between France and Indonesia.
From talent development and academic exchanges to joint research initiatives and startup collaboration, both countries share a common aspiration: to harness artificial intelligence as a force for progress, innovation, and societal benefit. As Indonesia advances toward its Indonesia Emas 2045 vision and France continues to strengthen its role as a global AI leader, partnerships built on knowledge-sharing, trust, and responsible innovation will become increasingly valuable.
The future of artificial intelligence will be defined not only by technological breakthroughs, but also by the people, institutions, and international partnerships that shape its direction. In that journey, France and Indonesia have the opportunity to work together in building an AI ecosystem that is innovative, inclusive, ethical, and beneficial for future generations.
The dialogue has begun. The next step is turning shared ambition into meaningful action.
