France plans to establish the International Center for AI in Defence (ICAID) in Rennes, aiming for NATO recognition as the alliance reviews its approach to approving new defense centers.
The Ministry of the Armed Forces identified ICAID in a notice for a Nov. 12 briefing. It said Rear Adm. Vincent Sébastien, deputy director of the Defence AI Agency, would present the center’s missions, objectives and next steps.
Reuters reported a summer 2027 opening target. Euronews said the center is expected to reach operational capabilities in 2027, without giving a specific date.
Euronews reported that the project was first developed within NATO’s Centres of Excellence framework. France decided to continue outside that framework after NATO paused the creation of new centers while reviewing its policy. France hopes the alliance will recognize ICAID, Euronews reported.
The center is intended to promote and support the use of artificial intelligence in defense, Reuters reported. Euronews said it is also meant to develop best practices. Bertrand Rondepierre, director of the Defence Ministry’s AI Agency, told Euronews that France aims to accelerate AI mastery and adoption in support of military operations alongside its allies.
Reuters reported that the center’s funding and international membership had not been finalized. The ministry invited representatives from other countries to a conference the following week to outline its plans, Reuters said.
The outlet said military AI systems can process information from drones, satellites and other sensors to support battlefield decisions, and that their use has grown since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. It also reported that European forces rely on U.S.-based companies such as Palantir for much of their AI-enabled military software.
