France to launch an international centre for military AI in Rennes next summer

France's armed forces ministry said Thursday it will create the International Center for AI in Defence (ICAID) in Rennes to promote and support military use of artificial intelligence, opening in summer 2027. It will start with about 30 civilian and military staff, half from France and half from allied countries, and six allies have expressed interest. Funding and membership are not finalised, and France hopes NATO will recognise the centre after the alliance paused creating new centres of excellence. The move comes as Europe tries to reduce its reliance on US firms such as Palantir for AI-enabled military software.