The tenth anniversary edition of VivaTech focused not only on technological development but also on the competitiveness of countries and companies in the new economy of artificial intelligence.
According to the event’s official website, key topics at the forum included generative AI, AI agents, digital infrastructure, deep tech, robotization, sustainable development, and the application of technology in industry.
The forum was attended by representatives of major technology companies and investors, including executives and experts from OpenAI, Anthropic, Google DeepMind, Mistral AI, and NVIDIA, as well as representatives of large corporations and government agencies.
From Technology Adoption to the Fight for AI Independence
One of the main trends at VivaTech was the topic of technological sovereignty. European companies and authorities are increasingly discussing the need to develop their own artificial intelligence models, computing infrastructure, and independent supply chains.
Against the backdrop of intensifying competition between the U.S., Europe, and Asia, the issue of access to cutting-edge AI technologies is becoming not only a technological but also an economic factor.
France and other European countries are advocating for the development of their own AI ecosystem while maintaining cooperation with global technology companies.
India received special attention at the forum. Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented India as one of the future hubs of the global AI economy and called on international companies to expand their cooperation with the Indian technology ecosystem.
“For India, AI stands for ‘All Inclusive,’” said Narendra Modi, emphasizing that artificial intelligence should be used to expand access to technology and improve quality of life.
The Indian prime minister also highlighted the role of digital infrastructure, startups, and government programs in the development of the country’s technology sector.
Businesses Are Moving Toward the Practical Use of AI
One of the key takeaways from VivaTech was the shift in companies’ approach to artificial intelligence. Whereas businesses previously focused mainly on the technology’s potential, the emphasis is now shifting to specific use cases: process automation, data management, customer support, software development, and operations management.
OpenAI representative Thibault Sottiaux made a surprising statement about the pace of AI agent adoption in Europe. “The adoption of agents is progressing faster in Europe than in the U.S.,” the OpenAI representative said during a discussion at VivaTech.
Companies view AI agents as the next stage in the development of corporate AI: systems that do not simply respond to user requests, but are capable of performing a sequence of tasks, interacting with programs, and supporting business processes.
The main takeaway from the forum is that artificial intelligence is becoming one of the key factors in economic competitiveness. Countries are investing in computing power and talent, companies are looking for ways to increase productivity, and regulators are establishing new rules for the use of these technologies.
