Artificial intelligence is dominating VivaTech 2023. Here’s what else to expect from this week’s tech show in Paris

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VivaTech returns for its seventh year. This is what you can expect from one of Europe’s largest tech and start-up events in Paris.

The doors to the cavernous exhibition halls of the Porte de Versailles were flung open on Wednesday for another edition of VivaTechnology – or VivaTech for short.

Founded in 2016, the annual Paris trade show is one of Europe’s top-tier tech events, this year attracting 2,400 start-ups – double the number it hosted in its first year – and more than 2,000 investors looking to fund the next big innovation that could change the world.

Of course, there’s one topic, in particular, that you can’t escape from this year’s event: artificial intelligence, or AI.

But that is not all. Cybersecurity, climate technology, sports, femtech and more top the list of trending topics. Here’s what’s driving discussions in the French capital this week.

The rise of artificial intelligence

On the day that the European Union passed the world’s first legislation giving lawmakers clearer oversight over technology, AI continues to have its day in the sun on VivaTech’s opening day.

Dominating the agenda at many discussion events, technology is prevalent throughout the exhibition space with major corporations and startups alike evangelising about the use cases of this transformative technology in their various fields.

AI has recently induced a heightened sense of foreboding, with tech pundits including the likes of the Godfather of AI, Geoffrey Hinton, sounding the alarm bells about the possible risks to humanity.

A highlight of the first day of the event was Yann Le Cun, Chief AI Scientist at Metas, who took to the stage to share his view, stating that “AI is an amplifier of human intelligence and when people are smarter, better things happen.”

French President Emmanuel Macron, who officially opened the event and has been a supporter of the event in the past, also took the opportunity to announce new investments in AI development in France.

It comes from the news that the French start-up Mistral AI, born four weeks ago, has secured the record figure of 105 million in European investments.

Elon Musk

Elon Musk: Man of the hour or villain? The tech billionaire is certainly a controversial figure and has drawn his share of the ire for his takeover of Twitter in late 2022. Much to fanfare from organizers shortly before the event, he was announced as one of the keynote speakers at this ‘year.

South Korea year

While many countries vie for space at VivaTech, South Korea is this year’s Country of the Year. The event maintained the initiative launched in last year’s edition and is an opportunity for the chosen country to shine the spotlight on its technological ecosystems.

South Korea has become a leading tech nation boasting 23 unicorns and an economy where, not unlike the EU, 99% of its companies are start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

#VulvaTech – femtech at the forefront

One of the key pillars of this year’s event is femtech. The value of the industry is exploding, surpassing $30 billion ($27.6 billion) in 2022 and is projected to reach $135 billion (124 billion) in 2023.

In a nod to the importance of the industry, this year VivaTech launched the first-ever Femtech Village where startups will be able to showcase and demonstrate their innovations to help with menstrual and reproductive health, mental health and more.

In a tongue-in-cheek attempt to raise the profile of the femtech industry, the four women behind the Gapianne company have renamed their events branding VulvaTech.

The future of sports

Next year is set to be a monumental year for sport in France. The country is preparing to host both the Rugby World Cup and the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. So it’s no surprise that sports technology is so prominent at this year’s VivaTech.

While usually held in one large exhibition hall, VivaTech 2023 has spread to an adjacent space in Hall 2 where companies and start-ups showcase the latest technologies and industry trends.

Local sports heroes, including former French tennis player Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and former French national footballer Blaise Matuidi, will join industry insiders to discuss the future of sports technology and its social impact.

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