The La French Tech India AI Summit 2025, held in Bangalore, brought together over 250 leaders from government, industry, startups, and academia from both India and France to discuss and promote shared approaches to artificial intelligence (AI). Organized by La French Tech India in partnership with IFCCI, Business France, the Consulate General of France in Bangalore, and CCEF, the event highlighted the growing collaboration between the two nations ahead of the India-France Year of Innovation 2026. The summit emphasized inclusive AI development, technology for the public good, and global cooperation.
The summit kicked off with a video message from Clara Chappaz, France’s Minister of State for Digital Affairs, followed by speeches from Marc Lamy, Consul General of France in Bengaluru, and Ajay Krishnan, Vice President of Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM). Together, they set the tone for the event, focusing on how AI can be used to address broader societal challenges.
The event showcased how France’s strengths in deep tech, cutting-edge research, and ethical AI regulations can complement India’s extensive digital infrastructure, scale, and talent pool, setting the stage for a new global model for AI development. Sharad Sharma, Co-founder of iSPIRT, delivered the keynote address, calling for India and France to lead AI development in a way that balances technological progress with global and local responsibilities.
The session was followed by a panel discussion featuring experts such as Dr Gaurav Aggarwal from Jio Reliance, Partha Rao, Co-founder and CEO of Prints.AI, Amit Pingle from Michelin Innovation Lab, and Umakant Soni from AI Foundry. The panel explored how the two countries can collaborate on scalable AI applications that address real-world problems.
The second half of the summit focused on the ethical dimensions of AI. Hari Subramanian, Fellow at NitiAI and iSPIRT, presented key principles for fostering public trust in emerging technologies. Mehak Kasbekar from Brut India then gave a keynote address on the role of the media in shaping AI narratives. A panel moderated by Rajesh Desai of Lyra India featured discussions on building AI systems that align with human values and protect societal interests. Panelists included Olivier Flous from Thales, Astha Kapoor from Aapti Institute, Shiv Kumar DVS from OVH, and Sachin Kumar, VP of AI Solutions at QpiAi.
Souad Tenfiche, CEO of Link Innovations and Co-Chair of La French Tech India, remarked, “AI is set to define the future. The crucial question is: who shapes AI? India and France are stepping up together to offer an answer based on openness, trust, and the common good. This summit underscores our joint commitment to developing AI that respects human rights and addresses global challenges. For French companies building impactful AI solutions, India is not just a market—it’s a strategic growth partner.”
Charlotte de Beauregard, Director at Capgemini and Co-Chair of La French Tech India, added, “Today’s tech leadership is about creating new solutions and guiding their responsible use. At this summit, we saw a shared vision from India and France to build AI systems that reflect shared values and practical needs. La French Tech aims to bridge the French and Indian tech ecosystems, ensuring this vision translates into collaborative projects that empower people, support businesses, and help AI evolve in a way that benefits society.”
The summit concluded with a renewed commitment to strengthening India-France cooperation in technology and innovation. With AI driving the next phase of global digital transformation, the event highlighted the importance of developing frameworks that are both practical and focused on people-first solutions. The partnerships and discussions from the summit are expected to continue shaping future bilateral initiatives and policy dialogues.
Currently ranked third in the world for AI research and training, France is home to over 1,000 AI startups and major global players like Mistral AI, Hugging Face, and Dataiku. The summit further positions India and France as key architects of a new AI model that promotes openness, ethics, and scalability.
La French Tech India, founded in 2019, is the official French Tech community in India. It connects over 600 members, including startups, investors, and tech professionals, through events, advocacy, and cross-border collaboration. Part of the La French Tech International Communities, La French Tech India works to promote France’s innovation ecosystem globally, support the international growth of French startups, and foster connections between local and French tech stakeholders. In partnership with the French embassy, consulates, and institutional partners, La French Tech India organizes impactful events and initiatives to drive innovation and collaboration.
