The first place Facebook opened an AI research centre was Paris.

They certainly didn't pick it for the food ;)

I think if you look at where the researchers are, Europe does really well. As per usual though, this is poorly commercialised.

In France software companies classify software development as R&d which I think has major tax upside for US companies with RD in France.

Let's be clear. They set up the office in Paris because Yann LeCunn had really good colleagues and students there.

This would seem to militate against a notion that Europe doesn't do AI.

Now, Europe definitely doesn't commercialise AI well, but that's a different point.