- Iliad commits €3 billion to boost AI and data center capacities across Europe.
- Strategic partnerships and new AI ventures to enhance France’s tech leadership.
What happened: Iliad Group’s $3B AI investment
Iliad Group, a French telecommunications giant, has committed $3.09 billion to expand its AI-focused infrastructure. This investment will strengthen data centers, computing power, and research, positioning the company at the forefront of Europe’s AI race. Iliad’s subsidiary, OpCore, plans to invest €2.5 billion in hyperscale data centers, essential for AI computing. Iliad has also partnered with InfraVia to secure substantial energy capacity, aiming for gigawatt-level expansion across Europe.
Through Scaleway, Iliad’s cloud provider, the company offers the largest AI computing capacity in Europe. Scaleway now provides access to over 5,000 GPUs, supporting AI firms like Mistral AI and Photoroom. Iliad also launched a partnership with Mistral AI, providing Free mobile users with exclusive access to “le Chat Pro,” an AI assistant, for 12 months. Additionally, Iliad co-founded Kyutai, a European AI research lab, committing €100 million to open-source AI research.
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Why it’s important
Iliad’s AI investment is a significant move to enhance Europe’s AI capabilities. With data centres and AI computing expanding, Iliad aims to lead the AI infrastructure sector. Partnerships with firms like InfraVia and Mistral AI strengthen this position. Scaleway’s AI computing resources further fuel growth in AI research and development. Additionally, Iliad’s €100 million commitment to Kyutai promotes open-source AI, crucial for Europe’s tech ecosystem.
The collaboration between Iliad, France, and UAE strengthens the AI infrastructure not just for France but for the wider European and global tech community. France’s leadership in AI and data centre development will undoubtedly attract further investments, positioning the nation as a hub for AI innovation.
