Chat, the French-Made AI Assistant, Surpasses 1 Million Downloads
A Milestone Reached
Chat, the generative artificial intelligence (AI) application developed by the French start-up Mistral AI, has achieved over a million downloads across iOS and Android platforms. The company, founded in 2023 and now valued at nearly six billion euros, expressed gratitude to its users on LinkedIn for their "incredible support" and declared, "this is just the beginning, and we can’t wait to share what’s next."
The conversational AI, a direct competitor to Open AI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini, responds to user queries, summarizes documents, generates images, and even produces computer code. While available for free, unlimited queries require a subscription fee of 15 euros per month.
Rapid Ascent and Notable Support
The mobile version of the platform, launched on February 6, experienced a swift rise in popularity, fueled by the AI for Good Summit held in Paris on February 10-11. Mistral AI gained significant support from high-profile figures, including President Emmanuel Macron and BPI CEO Nicolas Dufourcq, who advocated for the adoption of French-made AI tools.
"We want to make AI accessible and popular. It’s an excellent time for the general public to become aware of the revolution that AI brings," said Arthur Mensch, co-founder of Mistral AI, in an interview with Le Figaro upon the launch of the mobile application. "It’s also an opportunity to tell French citizens that this is not a technology to be feared."
Expansion Plans and Strategic Partnerships
To facilitate its continued growth, the start-up announced the construction of its first data center in Essonne and a partnership with France Travail during the AI summit. These initiatives align with Mistral AI’s mission to democratize AI and foster its adoption in France.
The Essonne data center will enhance Chat’s computational capabilities and reduce latency, enabling faster and more efficient processing of user requests. The partnership with France Travail will integrate Chat into the agency’s job search and training services, providing job seekers and professionals with personalized guidance and resources.
A French AI Success Story
Chat’s success underscores the growing prowess and potential of French AI innovation. The application’s widespread adoption demonstrates the public’s readiness to embrace AI as a tool for everyday use and problem solving. By investing in AI research and development, France is positioning itself as a key player in the global AI landscape.
Mistral AI, along with other French AI start-ups, is leading the charge in developing practical and user-friendly AI solutions. This not only benefits consumers and businesses but also contributes to France’s economic competitiveness and technological sovereignty.
The rapid growth of Chat and the support it has garnered from the government, industry, and the public bodes well for the future of AI in France. As the technology continues to evolve and find new applications, French companies are poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of AI and its impact on society.
