Macron Slams Social Media, Pushes for Ethical AI Partnership with India

In a series of addresses during his visit to India, French President Emmanuel Macron launched a sharp critique against major social media platforms, accusing them of presenting a false picture of free speech. He argued that without transparent algorithms, the concept of 'free speech is pure bulls***t,' warning that opaque digital systems pose serious risks to democracy. Macron stressed that these platforms must take greater responsibility for their content and the societal impact of their technologies. Shifting focus to the broader technological landscape, Macron acknowledged that Europe, and France specifically, missed the 'big tech wave' due to a historical lack of scale, capital, and risk appetite compared to the United States and China. However, he pointed to areas of future potential, citing quantum computing as a possible 'moonshot' for France and praising India's digital public infrastructure like UPI and Aadhaar as exemplary models. Looking ahead, Macron emphasized the urgent need for an inclusive and responsible approach to technology, particularly artificial intelligence. He announced that India and France would jointly work to build a framework for AI that combines innovation with responsibility. The goal, he stated, is to steer digital tools towards a future defined by 'technology with humanity,' ensuring that geopolitical tensions do not derail the pursuit of ethical and equitable technological development.