In a written response to a Senate question, the Minister of Labour set out the government’s view on the growing use of generative AI in the workplace, following concerns raised by a senator about job losses, increased surveillance, and the deskilling of roles.
Under French law, the deployment of AI systems within a business falls within the scope of the mandatory information and consultation obligations owed to the works council (CSE) relating to the introduction of any new technology. The Minister cited a ruling by the Nanterre first instance court of 14 February 2025 as authority for this. That said, the case law on this point is more nuanced: in a separate case, the Paris first instance court held on 10 February 2026 that a proposed rollout of Microsoft Copilot 365 did not constitute a “significant project modifying health, safety or working conditions” sufficient to justify the appointment of an expert by the CSE.
The Minister ruled out any blanket prohibition on the use of AI where it substitutes for human workers, considering the existing framework adequate.
