So Paris may be the most important AI city outside of Silicon Valley

Over the years, the tech industry sector has been stagnant, with Silicon Valley dominating the world’s startup economy. While cities like London, Beijing, and Tel Aviv have vied for second place influence, one of the most important discussions on artificial intelligence is taking place elsewhere: Paris.

France has invested heavily in technological research and infrastructure, with startups like Mistral AI helping Europe become a legitimate team in the global AI competition. At the same time, the European startup environment has matured significantly; its founders are eager to grow the company rather than just moving to the US

But the greater influence of Paris extends beyond the beginning. The city is becoming a meeting place for policy makers, business leaders, investors, and researchers all trying to answer the same question: What should the next era of AI look like?

Need proof? Look no further than VivaTech, the annual European technology conference that has evolved from a regional exhibition into one of the world’s most powerful AI and innovation events.

VivaTech 2026: 10th anniversary edition

VivaTech’s evolution reflects the evolution of the AI ​​industry over the past few years. A year ago, much of the conversation centered on chatbots, pilots, and consumer-focused testing. Now attention is shifting to infrastructure, cybersecurity, business deployment, and the real-world challenges of integrating AI into large organizations. This will be on full display at VivaTech 2026, where innovators, investors, policy makers, and business leaders will gather around the future of AI in Europe and beyond.

VivaTech Innovation of the Year 2026

TechCrunch’s partnership with VivaTech it shows a growing influence in international affairs. As part of the partnership, TechCrunch and VivaTech will highlight emerging startups through the VivaTech Innovation of the Year competition, the winner of which will receive the opportunity to travel to Paris and find a place in the Startup Battlefield 200 ahead of TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 in San Francisco.

The agreement also confirms something big happening in the entire AI community: Paris is no longer seen as the center of European technology on the rise. It is becoming one of the focal points of the global AI debate.

The same goes beyond the basics. Marketers, business leaders, policy makers, and researchers are all facing the same question: Who will create the next step in artificial intelligence?

Pa VivaTech 2026Paris will make the case that the answer may not be Silicon Valley anymore.

Book your pass now.