AI innovation dominates VivaTech 2025

The third day of VivaTech 2025 at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles showcased a vibrant gathering of global tech leaders, startups, and investors, focusing on the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and innovation. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang highlighted AI as "the greatest equalizer," emphasizing its ability to democratize technology access by lowering computing costs. He announced significant infrastructure projects in Europe, including the deployment of 18,000 Blackwell chips in collaboration with French startup Mistral AI and partnerships with automotive giants BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Huang cautioned that Europe's cautious approach to AI regulation could undermine its competitiveness against the U.S. and China.

GitHub CEO Thomas Dohmke discussed the emergence of "vibe coding," where non-technical founders utilize AI coding assistants to develop products. While he acknowledged that AI tools facilitate startup launches, he warned that scaling these businesses still requires substantial technical expertise, stressing the importance of learning to code beyond just prompt engineering.

The LVMH Innovation Award recognized French startup Omi as the “Most Promising” winner for its innovative use of 3D modeling and AI in content creation. Other notable winners included U.S.-based Kahoona, awarded the Best Business Award for its personalization technology, and French startup Genesis, which received the Best Impact Prize for its digital soil health monitoring tool. The event also unveiled the "Top 100 Rising European Startups for 2025," highlighting promising young companies in the European tech landscape, particularly those focused on AI-driven solutions.

VivaTech 2025 featured over 14,000 startups from more than 50 countries, alongside 3,000 investors and 4,000 partners.