Paris hosted the tenth edition of VivaTech from 17 to 20 June, bringing together the world's technology leaders, investors, entrepreneurs and policymakers at the Porte de Versailles exhibition centre. Over the past decade, the event has grown from a European technology gathering into one of the industry's most influential global forums. This year's edition highlighted not only the transformative impact of artificial intelligence but also Africa's increasingly prominent role in shaping the future of innovation.
The numbers reflected the event's growing scale and ambition. More than 180,000 visitors attended VivaTech 2026, alongside 15,000 startups, 4,000 investors and over 450 speakers. The exhibition expanded significantly, with an additional hall increasing floor space by 30%, accommodating more than 1,500 demonstrations and over 4,000 organised business meetings.
The overarching theme, "Impact, Not Illusion", captured the industry's focus on practical applications of emerging technologies. Artificial intelligence featured prominently throughout the programme, particularly in discussions around productivity, cybersecurity, energy transition and deep technology. From quantum computing and space technologies to advanced robotics and brain-computer interfaces, the event showcased innovations that are increasingly moving from research laboratories into commercial reality.
A roster of high-profile speakers reinforced VivaTech's status as a major international platform. Jensen Huang, chief executive of Nvidia, outlined his vision for "AI factories", the vast computing infrastructure required to support the next phase of artificial intelligence development. Yann LeCun, one of the pioneers of modern AI and a recipient of the Turing Award, discussed the future of the sector and the growing role of Europe in global AI research.
Originally published by African Business.