The United Kingdom and France are strengthening their collaboration in the fields of research and AI 

Written by Stuart Crowley 

The United Kingdom and France have announced significant new measures to strengthen their collaborative efforts in the fields of research and artificial intelligence (AI), following their partnership with the Horizon Europe program. 

These measures include substantial new funding as well as a partnership aimed at promoting global AI security. 

During a historic meeting in London, Sylvie Retailleau, the French Minister of Higher Education and Research, met with British Secretary of State Michelle Donelan. This meeting, their first face-to-face exchange since the United Kingdom joined Horizon Europe, paves the way for increased cooperation between the two nations, building on a history of joint innovations such as the Concorde and the Channel Tunnel. 

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Joint Funding and a Partnership for AI Safety 

One of the key outcomes of their discussions is a commitment to allocate new funding of 800,000 pounds (approximately 930,000 euros) to support a greater number of joint research initiatives between the United Kingdom and France under Horizon Europe. 

This funding is intended to support projects with the potential to have a global impact, continuing the tradition of collaborative research that has in the past led to significant advances, such as progress toward potential vaccines against HIV/AIDS. 

In addition, the two countries have agreed to establish a new partnership between the AI Safety Institute in the United Kingdom and Inria (the National Institute for Research in Digital Science and Technology) in France. This collaboration is dedicated to the safe and responsible development of AI technologies, an initiative that comes at just the right time as France prepares to host the next edition of the Summit on Artificial Intelligence Safety. 

This summit will build on the groundwork laid by the inaugural summit in the United Kingdom, which focused on establishing global standards to guide pioneering AI trials. 

These initiatives reflect a shared commitment to harnessing scientific research and AI technology for the benefit of society, with a focus on safety, accountability, and international cooperation. 

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Meeting of the Franco-British Joint Committee 

The first meeting of the new Franco-British Joint Committee on Science, Technology, and Innovation marked a decisive step forward in strengthening collaboration between the United Kingdom and France in the field of research and development. 

The purpose of this committee is to encourage cooperation in research and development across various fields, including low-carbon hydrogen, space observation, AI, and research safety. It will meet every two years to advance Franco-British scientific cooperation in the field of emerging technologies. 

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Strengthening Scientific Ties and Ambitions 

“The ties between the brightest minds in the United Kingdom and France are deep and long-standing,” emphasized British Secretary of State Michelle Donelan, highlighting the depth and history of collaboration between the two nations. 

“It is perfectly normal for us to support our innovators, with a view to unlocking the potential of their ideas to create jobs and help businesses thrive, in partnership with our closest neighbor on the continent,” she continued. 

She also noted that this partnership was essential to realizing the United Kingdom's aspirations to become a scientific superpower. 

Echoing these statements, the French Minister of Higher Education and Research, Sylvie Retailleau, emphasized the role that the joint committee plays in promoting the international dimension of research. 

“This joint committee is a perfect example of the international scope of research […] Joining forces with a trusted partner like the United Kingdom […] is a unique opportunity to strengthen France’s scientific opportunities abroad,” said Sylvie Retailleau. 

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A Unified Approach to Global Challenges 

This collaboration, which extends beyond bilateral interests, aims to strengthen the global scientific community's capacity to address urgent challenges. 

This includes participation in Horizon Europe, the world's largest collaborative research program, and in the Copernicus component of the EU's space program, underscoring a shared commitment to advancing research in Earth observation and other essential scientific activities. 

The Franco-British partnership on AI security allows France, among other things, to position itself within a rapidly expanding international network focused on AI safety testing, and to join agreements similar to those between the United Kingdom, the United States, and Singapore. 

This collaborative effort reflects both countries' recognition of the need for global cooperation to ensure the safe development of AI technologies. 

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Celebrating a Legacy of Innovation 

As 2024 marks the 120th anniversary of the signing of the Entente Cordiale, the United Kingdom and France are celebrating a history of shared achievements—from the Concorde to the Channel Tunnel—and looking forward to future collaborations, such as the MicroCarb satellite project and membership in CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research. 

This initiative, which is part of the United Kingdom's broader strategy to participate in bilateral scientific agreements around the world, demonstrates the country's commitment to fostering international scientific collaboration. 

The partnership with France—a key ally and a leader in science and technology—reflects the United Kingdom’s global ambitions to drive scientific breakthroughs and innovations.