The French Shuffle: My Urgent Calls with the Élysée Palace on AI Legislation
In the midst of urgent actions to prevent a catastrophe in the world of artificial intelligence, I found myself once again trying to reach the Élysée Palace. My goal was simple: ensure my correspondence to President Emmanuel Macron, regarding California's SB 1047, reached him before it was too late. But what unfolded was a dance of delays, system maintenance, and classic French bureaucracy—an experience that was as frustrating as it was revealing.
First Call: A Bureaucratic Wall
My first call to the Élysée Palace had a sense of urgency. Armed with my reference number, I was determined to push forward the critical importance of this AI legislation. After a routine introduction, I requested the status of my correspondence. The response? A flat refusal to check the system. I was informed that no one could check my reference number—apparently, this could only be done in the afternoon or on Monday due to system limitations.
As someone who has worked as a quality specialist in customer service in a prior position, I couldn't help but think how my feedback would’ve been simple: “room for improvement.” The interaction lacked empathy and an understanding of urgency, two core principles in quality customer service. Was it really possible that the President’s office couldn’t check emails in the morning? The answer was essentially, "Yes." The representative, speaking with a clipped, matter-of-fact tone, reminded me repeatedly that I would have to call back later. There was no room for negotiation or sympathy for the gravity of my request. The conversation ended abruptly, leaving me feeling dismissed, as though I was just another formality to be brushed aside.
Second Call: System Maintenance and a “Do Whatever You Want” Attitude
Determined not to give up, I called back later, hoping for a different outcome. But this time, the story had shifted slightly. The representative informed me that the entire system was down due to maintenance, and no one could access anything until it was fixed. She suggested I try again in the afternoon or wait until Monday—neither option helpful given the urgency of the matter.
While I was waiting on hold during this call, I couldn’t help but reflect on how drastically this very field—customer service—could be impacted in the U.S. if SB 1047 doesn’t pass. If only these French customer service agents knew how unregulated AI is in America. AI can now answer phone calls, and with no laws or regulations like SB 1047 in place to set boundaries, U.S. companies are free to replace as much of their workforce as they wish with AI. The job they hold right now, which they may think is secure, is at risk of being wiped out by an algorithm—and yet here I was, struggling to explain the urgency of regulating AI to someone whose very job could be at risk in the future.
The French Hang-Up: A Cultural Contrast
The conversation carried on with the same frustrating tone as before. The representative was curt, almost as if my request was a nuisance. In a noticeably condescending manner, she essentially shrugged over the phone and said, “Well, do whatever you want,” before hanging up on me. That was it. The conversation ended without any sense of closure, urgency, or respect for the issue at hand.
In contrast, I couldn't help but think of how American customer service, even when systems are down, tends to offer empathy and alternatives. In my past work as a quality specialist, I would have certainly flagged this interaction as one needing improvement. Representatives in the U.S. are trained to make the caller feel heard, even if no immediate solution can be provided. But in France, it seems they have mastered the art of hanging up without hanging up—making you feel as if your concerns are trivial.
AI Customer Service: Friendlier but at What Cost?
Ironically, after this interaction, I couldn’t help but wonder if a more neutral, AI-generated voice would have been better. AI wouldn’t have been able to fix the system issues, but it would have been courteous and respectful throughout. Of course, that opens a whole new can of worms—AI replacing human jobs. But at least, for now, these interactions are still providing someone with a job. However, for how much longer? Without regulations, we may soon see the entire customer service field overtaken by AI, where empathy is simulated but never truly felt.
What’s at Stake?
The stakes couldn’t be higher. SB 1047, which seeks to place necessary oversight on AI models, needs to be passed to prevent unchecked technological growth. Without it, we risk AI spiraling beyond our control—impacting economies, job markets, and even how societies function. While I was trying to ensure that Macron was aware of the bill’s importance, I encountered only delays and indifference.
As I continue to await the status of my correspondence, one question lingers in my mind: Will Emmanuel Macron ever get to read my letter and watch his hypothetical speech at the UN he should have had on addressing SB 1047 on time before it’s too late? Let’s see if I can get someone to assist in the afternoon—after all, the computers should no longer be down.
