Turning AI into a True Revolution

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is profoundly reshaping the economy and the dynamics of innovation. At the heart of this transformation lies research—whether fundamental or applied, public or private. Yet, the often-cited opposition between European public research and large American tech companies hides a more nuanced reality: that of a shifting funding landscape. In the United States, the share of the state in national R&D dropped from 30% in 2011 to 19% in 2021, while companies now account for 36% of the funding for fundamental research, rivaling public support (40%). This shift in balance raises important questions: how can we preserve the independence of fundamental research while promoting innovation that is both market-relevant and beneficial to society, including for the ecological transition? Is generative AI a turning point toward a new techno-economic paradigm and an industrial revolution? Will the promised gains in productivity materialize? And in a fragmented world dominated by oligopolies closely tied to political power, what role can France and Europe play, and what responses should be offered in terms of public policy and regulation? This debate aims to shed light on these strategic issues and their economic implications.