India and France are laying the foundation for a new global model of responsible AI — one that’s inclusive, ethical, and collaborative. At the La French Tech India AI Summit 2025 in Bangalore, leaders from both countries gathered not just to talk tech, but to shape the future. Could this bilateral momentum turn India and France into AI’s next power duo?
What’s the News?
The La French Tech India AI Summit 2025 convened more than 250 leaders from tech companies, government bodies, startups, and academia to deepen cooperation between India and France in artificial intelligence. Hosted in Bangalore and organized by La French Tech India with backing from IFCCI, Business France, and others, the summit marked a major step toward the India-France Year of Innovation 2026.
The event kicked off with a virtual message from Clara Chappaz, France’s Minister of State for Digital Affairs, followed by opening remarks from Marc Lamy, Consul General of France in Bengaluru, and Ajay Krishnan from the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission. Their message was clear: AI should solve real problems — and it should do so responsibly.
Sharad Sharma, co-founder of Indian think tank iSPIRT, delivered the keynote address, urging India and France to co-create a scalable AI model that blends cutting-edge research with real-world needs. “Let’s lead AI with accountability,” he said.
Panel discussions throughout the day explored themes like AI for the public good, cross-border startup collaboration, and responsible innovation. Notable panelists included Dr. Gaurav Aggarwal from Jio, Amit Pingle from Michelin Innovation Lab, and Partha Rao, co-founder of Prints.AI.
Later sessions focused on AI ethics and governance. Hari Subramanian of NitiAI introduced a framework for building public trust in tech. Mehak Kasbekar of Brut India spoke about media’s role in shaping AI narratives, while panelists from Thales, Aapti Institute, and QpiAI discussed how to embed values into AI systems.
The event closed with a strong call to action: India and France must align policy, research, and industry efforts to guide AI’s future — not just for innovation, but for the common good.
Why It Matters
This summit wasn’t just symbolic — it signals a shift toward a more human-centered AI agenda led by two rising tech powers. India brings scale, data, and a thriving developer ecosystem. France offers research muscle, regulatory foresight, and fast-growing AI startups like Mistral AI and Hugging Face.
Together, they’re pushing for a balance between innovation and ethics — a middle path between U.S. tech dominance and China’s state-driven AI model. For businesses, this could mean new cross-border opportunities. For policymakers, it may offer a replicable playbook for people-first AI development.
💡 Expert Insight
“AI is set to define the future. The crucial question is: who shapes it?” said Souad Tenfiche, CEO of Link Innovations and Co-Chair of La French Tech India. “India and France are stepping up together to offer an answer based on openness, trust, and the common good.”
Charlotte de Beauregard of Capgemini added, “The summit reflected a shared vision to not only create new AI tools but ensure their responsible use. That’s real leadership.”
🔮 GazeOn’s Take
With the 2026 Year of Innovation on the horizon, expect more joint initiatives, startup exchanges, and policy collaborations. If India and France can scale their vision, they might just set a global benchmark for AI that’s powerful and principled.
💬 Reader Question
Could this partnership shape a more balanced AI future — one that works for both innovation and humanity? Let us know what you think.
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