Experience VivaTech 2025 | 13 June

#1 | Major announcements

• Scaleway x OVHcloud – challenging the US cloud giants: The two French cloud leaders announced a strategic alliance to provide sovereign cloud services, aiming to rival American and Asian giants.
• French government and startups – €1 billion for DeepTech: The French government revealed a bold new industrial strategy, allocating one billion euros to support the emergence of future deeptech unicorns. Deeptech refers to startups developing breakthrough technologies based on significant scientific advances, such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, new materials and quantum computing.
• Somanity – exoskeleton named innovation of the year: The Nice-based startup received the Best Innovation Award, VivaTech’s recognition for the most promising technology, for its ultra-light exoskeleton designed for motor rehabilitation, already successfully tested in several hospitals.
• Institut de l’Engagement & Orange – launch of the digital citizenship certificate: A new milestone for digital inclusion. Orange and the Institut de l’Engagement launched an unprecedented certificate to educate all young people on digital rights and responsibilities.

#2 | Africa: from a united continent to global openness

Having previously explored Europe, Asia and North America, it was essential to focus on Africa at VivaTech 2025. Africa is no longer content to merely showcase its talent and startups. It is asserting its rightful place in global innovation, while demonstrating a remarkable openness. This year, emphasis was placed on the need for unity in funding, training and resource sharing.

Three examples illustrate this dynamic:

• Bictorys (Senegal) is democratising digital payments in rural areas.
• Yodan (Ivory Coast) is digitising mental health diagnosis and follow-up, breaking the dual taboo of care and technology.
• Dialecta (Nigeria) is using artificial intelligence to preserve African languages, combining inclusion, heritage and digital sovereignty.

A powerful message emerged: Africa seeks strong partnerships with the rest of the world, particularly Asia and aims to foster genuine two-way exchanges of ideas, capital and talent. These initiatives are ushering in a new era of cooperation and pride for the continent.

#3 | Automotive and urban mobility: a showcase of new narratives

This edition featured a strong presence from the automotive sector. The autonomous Tesla Taxi, without pedals or a steering wheel, continues to provoke discussion. However, Vision 4Rescue, developed by the Software République (Renault Group, Thales, Orange, STMicroelectronics, Dassault Systèmes and JCDecaux), represents a significant shift in safety, connectivity and emergency response. This all-terrain crisis vehicle offers:

• On-board edge computing for immediate situation analysis
• 5G networks and drone coordination on-site
• Interactive urban furniture to inform and protect citizens in real time
• Crisis management tools for natural disasters and large-scale events

Urban and road safety are also advancing. RideVision, an artificial intelligence-assisted vision technology, offers a sophisticated solution for preventing motorcycle accidents. With 360-degree cameras, it continuously analyses surroundings and alerts the rider to imminent dangers such as risky overtaking, blind spots and sudden braking. It is now essential not only for motorcyclists but also for insurers and municipalities aiming to reduce road risks.

Also noteworthy is the strong partnership between VivaTech and the Alléno Foundation. Founded by three-star chef Yannick Alléno following the tragic death of his son Antoine, the foundation promotes road safety and supports victims of serious accidents, particularly young people. Through awareness campaigns, family support and advocacy for innovative solutions, the foundation is actively committed to safer roads. Its presence at VivaTech 2025 underscores the importance of mobilising the technology ecosystem for responsible mobility.

Other innovations in the spotlight included a breathalyser-integrated steering wheel to prevent accidents and virtual reality devices for teaching lifesaving techniques.

Beyond the gadgets, serious ethical and practical questions arise. Who is responsible in the event of a fully autonomous accident? Are we prepared to entrust our safety to technology? The debates are ongoing. The revolution is well underway.

#4 | Highlights of the day

• "Trial of the century - artificial intelligence vs. the legal profession": A packed room witnessed a dramatic showdown as lawyers in robes faced off against generative artificial intelligence over copyright and legal responsibility. Amusing yet revealing, the judge eventually recused themselves, unable to resolve the ethical dilemmas. The audience was left wondering whether the lawyer-robot is truly imminent.
• Putting artificial intelligence biases on trial – a work in progress: Following the theatrical duel, a sobering session revealed the extent of bias still present in artificial intelligence systems. Issues with training data, lack of diversity and persistent discrimination show that much work remains before automated justice can be trusted. Before entrusting our legal fate to machines, we must remember that human flaws remain unresolved.
• OpenAI in business mode: Sarah Friar, Chief Financial Officer of OpenAI, shared impressive figures: 500 million users, 10 billion dollars in recurring revenue, cloud diversification and real-world case studies in Southeast Asia. A wave that compels us to rethink education, employment and collective use.
• Le Coq Rouge in the spotlight: It was timely to explain the significance of the Coq Rouge in our previous newsletter, as Florence Sardas (Forvis Mazars Executive Committee) received her Coq Rouge last night, alongside Emmanuel Macron, Maurice Lévy, Roxanne Varza (Station F), Frédéric Mazzella (BlaBlaCar) and Stéphanie Hospital (OneRagtime) during VivaTech 2025. The Coq Rouge symbolises French excellence, rewarding boldness, innovation and commitment to the influence of French Tech and its allies.

#5 | Number of the day and fun fact

• Number of the day: 119,400
  119,400 unique badges were scanned over three days, setting a new record for VivaTech even before the final count. Never before have so many technology professionals, investors, students and decision-makers gathered in such a short time. A true turning point.
• Fun fact
  Between sessions, some attendees organised an impromptu giant table football match. A team of African startup founders challenged an artificial intelligence-powered "team player" created for the event. Final score: humanity won, but only just.

#6 | Our perspective – from rivalry to global cooperation

VivaTech 2025 saw artificial intelligence take centre stage, sparking unprecedented debate on ethics, sovereignty and responsibility. While the "man versus machine" trial entertained, it also exposed a real divide. Tomorrow’s lawyer may be an algorithm, but who will manage its biases?

What truly matters is the collective momentum. Africa is uniting and opening to Asia, challenging the traditional North-centric model. The automotive sector is becoming a shared space for vigilance. Startups are innovating at the intersection of cultures and perspectives.

At Forvis Mazars, we depart with the firm belief that innovation will only become widespread, transformative and equitable if it remains, above all, human, responsible and subject to open debate. Who will guide the next major turning point? The stage remains open.

Find all our newsletters here: Step inside VivaTech 2025 with our insider highlights - Forvis Mazars Group

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