With just a month to go before the international AI summit in Paris, the French data protection authority (CNIL) has unveiled its strategic priorities for the 2025-2028 period. Amidst a surge in AI usage, the regulatory body is stepping up its efforts to govern the technology and curb any potential misuses.
AI Strategy Unveiled
The rise of AI technology poses significant challenges in terms of personal data protection, security, and ethics. Marie-Laure Denis, the president of CNIL, has emphasized the critical need to monitor algorithms and ensure individuals can exercise their rights over their personal data.
To achieve this, CNIL plans to work closely with other European data protection authorities, especially in analyzing and regulating major language models that power chatbots and recommendation systems.
CNIL has also reiterated its commitment to closely monitor the use of algorithmic video surveillance (AVS), especially during high-stakes events such as what was implemented during the 2024 Paris Olympics. The authority aims to ensure these technologies comply with legal frameworks to prevent any abuses.
Record Number of Complaints
In parallel, CNIL has reported a record-breaking number of activities: 17,193 complaints were filed in 2024, setting a new record and bringing the total to nearly 45,000 complaints handled between 2022 and 2024. These complaints are primarily about personal data breaches and reflect growing public concern about potential invasions of privacy.
Beyond artificial intelligence, CNIL is focusing on two other significant issues: the protection of minors online (particularly on social networks and mobile apps) and the enhancement of cybersecurity, amid an increase in cyber-attacks targeting businesses and institutions. Last September, the authority released recommendations on personal data processing by mobile apps and is committed to ramping up its inspections in this area.
The focus on AI by CNIL comes as regulators worldwide are trying to keep pace with rapid technological advancements. The Paris AI summit, scheduled for February 2025, will provide a platform for decision-makers and experts to discuss the necessary regulatory frameworks to manage this technology, provided they are willing to allocate the necessary resources.
A Stellar Line-Up
Among the highly anticipated attendees at the summit is none other than Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI and father of ChatGPT. Other confirmed participants include Dario Amodei from Anthropic, Arthur Mensch from Mistral AI, and executives from Aleph Alpha, Accenture, Mozilla, and Signal. Nobel laureates, including Chemistry winner Demis Hassabis and Economics laureate Daron Acemoglu, will also be present.
The event highlights the European and French ambition to play a key role in the future of artificial intelligence. It is expected to attract nearly a thousand participants, including heads of state, think tanks, NGOs, researchers, and artists. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron will also attend, emphasizing the geopolitical importance of AI. Additionally, Donald Trump and Elon Musk have been invited by the French President, though their attendance has not been officially confirmed.