Esports diplomacy: Macron and Saudi Crown Prince attend Paris tournament

In Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman attended the biggest international esports competition. This visit underscores the importance that nations place on gaining a foothold in the rapidly growing video games industry, which is closely tied to artificial intelligence. The two-day trip by Prince Mohammed began with their presence in Paris.

French President Macron presented the trophy to the winning Chinese team, AG.AL, which had defeated the two-time Saudi champions, Team Falcons. Over 2,000 players participated in the seven-week tournament, organized by the Esports Foundation, a Saudi non-profit organization. The Esports World Cup's move from Riyadh to Paris for its third event highlights the shared ambition of France and Saudi Arabia to use sports and culture to strengthen their relationship.

While Europe has historically invested less in esports compared to the Gulf region or Asian countries like South Korea, the tournament's relocation to France solidifies the industry's status as an international diplomatic tool. The shift to Paris was driven by concerns over the impact of the US-Iran war, making it a natural choice two years after France hosted the Olympic Games.

Andy Miah, chairman of science communication and future media at the University of Salford in the UK, noted the move as a natural fit. Miah also pointed out that esports represents a hub for creative innovation, as they are a cauldron for such innovation. On the eve of Prince Mohammed's visit, an adviser to Macron stated that the Saudi organizers were pleased with the organization of the event in Paris and that it was a win-win situation for both countries.

Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, a consortium of investors, recently acquired US video game company Electronic Arts for $55 million, marking its biggest push into the global gaming industry as it diversifies its economy beyond oil. This investment provides access to esports titles and future audiences. Esports is seen as part of an innovative economy that is drawing governments' attention to ensure they can become part of the AI superpower driving future computing advancements.

Nvidia, a US tech company, is among those developing AI chips and those used for gaming computers. Participation in the Esports World Cup can be viewed as a route to gaining closer ties with AI superpower status.