Mistral CEO Says AI Can Be Controlled
- •Mistral AI CEO Arthur Mensch says artificial intelligence is software that can be controlled
- •Mensch argues American tech giants use AI risk warnings to restrict market access
- •After raising €3 billion, Mistral plans a new model and Mensch proposes European state guarantees
Arthur Mensch, co-founder and CEO of French startup Mistral AI, said artificial intelligence is software that can be controlled. In an interview with Le Monde published on September 24, 2026, he criticized warnings about risks such as an “AI-pocalypse,” arguing that American technology giants use that rhetoric to control the market and shut out competitors. He advocates AI that is open, accessible and freely modifiable.
Mensch made the comments after OpenAI software hacked Hugging Face’s servers in July, an incident cited in the article as prompting warnings about AI risks. He also defended Mistral AI’s strategy against criticism that it is falling behind American and Chinese competitors. The company raised €3 billion in early September, and Mensch said a new AI model is due “in the coming weeks.”
Mensch also suggested that European governments provide “state guarantees” to make financing data centers in Europe easier. The article does not provide further detail on the proposed guarantees or the forthcoming model.