Artificial Intelligence Action Summit: France, land of AI

This event brought together experts, entrepreneurs and decision-makers from around the world to discuss the challenges and opportunities of AI.

© Isabelle Harsin/SIPA/MEAE

The main aim of the summit was to promote innovation and stimulate growth by exploring how AI could transform firms. The program included conferences, workshops and technology demonstrations to explore how AI could change businesses and promote economic development. These discussions addressed the major issues of tomorrow around AI: the future of work, climate, education, inequality, global governance, security, culture, innovation and many others. Those taking part had the chance to connect with innovation leaders and drive their businesses towards new horizons.

The “Business Day” was an opportunity to bring together startups, SMEs, major accounts and public authorities at Station F on February 11.

Meetings and discussions took place to promote strategic partnerships and open up new export prospects.

€109 billion of investments (see attached press kit) were announced during the summit:

• The United Arab Emirates is to build a €50 billion one-gigawatt AI campus
• Brookfield Asset Management is to invest €20 billion in data centers through the Data4 company by 2030
• Fluidstack (UK) announced a partnership with the French government to deploy the world’s largest AI computer, with the capacity to reach one gigawatt
• Iliad increased its investment to over €3 billion
• Mistral AI is to launch the first AI cluster in Essonne, outside Paris, equipped with the latest generation of chips

Business France clients share their views on the event:

“Being at the #AIBusiness Day is essential. We develop AI solutions for embedded systems, whether for aerial, land or naval drones. Thanks to our technology, mission planning is achieved in real time and autonomously, instead of being done manually. This event means we can meet partners and explore new opportunities. There are a lot of people, so it’s great! Business France is a real accelerator for us. Based in Grenoble, we have been able to explore international markets by participating in several trade shows, including VivaTech for the past two years. It’s the ideal tool to avoid mistakes and to structure your international expansion.”

Raphael Frisch, Founder and CEO of HawAI.Tech      

“Taking part in #AIBusinessDay was an obvious choice. As a player in AI applied to drug discovery, this event means we can meet our partners, develop new business opportunities and exchange with other innovative businesses. We use a proprietary computational platform, combining quantum and AI, to simulate and generate new therapeutic molecules. Export is at the heart of our development: our target markets are Europe, the United States, South Korea and Japan. As “France 2030” winners, we benefit from the support of Business France, which helps us fund our international prospecting. Their network is a key lever for our growth: without them, we would need 10 more people in the business!”

Robert Marino, CEO of Qubit Pharmaceuticals 

During these two days, France and Europe confirmed their place at the heart of the global AI ecosystem, thanks to a dynamic of sustained innovation, infrastructures and talents that are recognized worldwide.

Find out more about the AI Action Summit:  Sommet pour l'action sur l'intelligence artificielle. | Élysée