Macron positions France as Europe's AI powerhouse with SoftBank's €75 billion ($87 billion（約14兆円）) investment commitment, hoping to secure a lasting tech legacy before he leaves office.

What happened: Emmanuel Macron has convinced SoftBank Group to invest as much as €75 billion ($87 billion（約14兆円）) in French projects. The French government has dubbed this effort "Project Marengo," named after Napoleon Bonaparte's 1800 military victory, to signal speed and decisive action in positioning France as Europe's artificial intelligence powerhouse.

Why it matters: Macron's earlier ambition to turn France into a "startup nation" did not fully deliver, and with less than a year left in office, he is seeking to be remembered for putting Europe back in the technology race. France's abundant nuclear energy supply makes it an attractive location for data centers, which consume significant electricity to power AI infrastructure.

What to watch: The €75 billion ($87 billion（約14兆円）) funding commitment represents the scale of Macron's bid to establish France as a credible AI hub, though execution and timeline for these projects remain to be seen.