Paris is gearing up for Vivatech, a major tech trade fair starting Wednesday, which aims to showcase the economic potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and will feature some of the industry’s most influential leaders.

The highlight of the event’s opening day will be Nvidia’s CEO, Jensen Huang, who is expected to make a significant impact in Europe with the company known for creating advanced AI computing hardware.

French President Emmanuel Macron, a familiar face at Vivatech, will also be there, participating in discussions with innovative startups as well as taking a tour of the convention center in southern Paris, as announced by the Elysee Palace.

Industry experts predict a record number of AI-integrated products will be displayed this year. “We’ve shifted from AI being just a concept to it being applied in real-world scenarios,” stated Francois Bitouzet, the managing director of Vivatech.

He mentioned that around 30 different sectors, from luxury items to everyday health and energy solutions, will feature AI-driven innovations on display.

Approximately 14,000 startups and over 3,000 investors are expected to converge in Paris, with total attendance anticipated to match or exceed last year’s impressive figure of 165,000 visitors.

Nvidia Takes the Spotlight

Jensen Huang, likely seen in his iconic leather jacket, will lead the opening event with a presentation lasting over an hour.

Bitouzet expressed pride in welcoming Nvidia, a leader in semiconductor technology, known for its powerful GPUs that are essential for running advanced generative AI applications.

“This shows that both the European and French markets are appealing to Nvidia, which has ambitious plans for the region,” Bitouzet remarked.

Cedric Foray, head of EY’s tech, media, and telecom sectors in Europe, added that Nvidia is expected to make significant announcements that are relevant to Europe.

This follows a history of export limitations faced by Nvidia on its top-performing chips due to concerns from U.S. policymakers about maintaining a lead in generative AI.

Huang, however, has noted that China is rapidly advancing in this field.

While Nvidia’s recent financial report didn’t show major impacts from these restrictions, the company cautioned that the effects might become more pronounced in the upcoming quarter.

Technological Independence

U.S. policies are a concern for many European tech leaders. Discussions revolve around Trump’s fluctuating tariff strategies and how Europe can establish its own tech landscape independent of American giants while addressing the funding gap in AI development.

“The concept of sovereignty in tech has become a top priority, which wasn’t as emphasized just a year or two ago,” remarked Bitouzet.

Macron is expected to reiterate the importance of “European technological sovereignty,” according to the Elysee Palace.

This follows his earlier advocacy for a more open approach to AI at a global summit held in Paris in February.

Among key French companies, Mistral AI, a rival to the larger OpenAI, will be showcased at Vivatech, with its founder, Arthur Mensch, set to engage in a discussion about AI with Macron and Huang at a roundtable at the conclusion of the first event day.