The government wants to establish a leading position in Europe as a tech finance and AI leader, with the news that it will strengthen links with France in the tech and artificial intelligence sectors. The cross channel collaboration has seen both countries agree to a digital conference later this year to promote deeper integration in the digital economy. It comes as the UK undertakes a charm offensive with the French in an effort to gain its support for a positive Brexit deal. For many years now the United Kingdom has been the top country in Europe for global tech investors. Indeed, its tech firms have attracted more venture capital funding than any other European country in 2017.