- Strategic New Establishment in Nice: aivancity, the only French state-recognized school dedicated to artificial intelligence, opens a campus in Nice, further strengthening the region’s technological ecosystem.
- Training Talent: aivancity aims to train “AIgineers®,” equipped to tackle the challenges of the digital economy with a focus on ethics and diversity.
- Local Support: The arrival of aivancity is backed by the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis, aligning with its strategy to attract top-tier higher education institutions.
aivancity: A Key Player in Nice Côte d’Azur’s Tech Ecosystem
Already recognized for its focus on innovation and new technologies, Nice takes another significant step with the establishment of aivancity. This prominent school, specializing in artificial intelligence (AI) and data, is setting up in the metropolis, further cementing Nice’s position as a premier tech hub.
This move continues the strategy of attracting prestigious schools, following the arrivals of ISART Digital, Centrale Méditerranée, and Ecole 42.
On September 5, 2024, from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM, aivancity, supported by the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis, will host a conference on artificial intelligence. This event offers businesses an opportunity to explore AI’s current uses, future prospects, and the ethical challenges associated with its development.
aivancity Expands to Nice, Accelerating Its Growth
Recognized by the French government in February 2023, aivancity’s Grande École Program received official accreditation from the Ministry of Higher Education and Research. Continuing its development, the school has chosen Nice for its first campus outside the Greater Paris area.
In January 2025, aivancity will welcome its inaugural class of students to its Nice campus, aligning with the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis’s ambition to make AI a central focus. The Metropolis has created the necessary ecosystems for economic development by attracting academic leaders, fostering synergies between top-tier training programs, innovative companies, and cutting-edge research.
Before its permanent establishment in a 2,000 m² international campus, aivancity will be hosted temporarily on the IPAG Business School campus on Boulevard Carabacel in Nice.
As part of its 2030 Strategic Plan, aivancity is developing its activities and regional presence in southern France, while IPAG seeks to integrate AI into its student programs. Both schools have established an institutional and strategic partnership, pooling resources and networks to foster joint training programs, collaborative research, industrial partnerships, and international initiatives.
Programs Launching in January 2025
– Certifying Program: AI & Data Science for Managers
– First Year of MSc Programs:Data Engineering & Cloud Computing & Data Management
– AI Clinic: Supporting local businesses.
– September 2025: Launch of the first year of its Bachelor’s in Applied AI.
aivancity’s Commitment to Employability
Dedicated to enhancing employability for both young graduates and seasoned professionals, aivancity, with support from the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis, organized an introductory AI conference. This event also presented a preliminary overview of AI job opportunities in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region.
Tawhid Chtioui, Founder and President of aivancity:
“I am thrilled about our new establishment in Nice, which reflects an effective territorial strategy and a strong commitment to employability and local integration. The support of the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis is a significant milestone, showcasing our dedication to collaborating with local stakeholders to stimulate economic and social development in the region. This initiative underscores our commitment to creating lasting synergies and actively contributing to the dynamism of the Côte d’Azur.”
Christian Estrosi, Mayor of Nice and President of the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis: “I am very proud that the first state-recognized school for AI education has chosen Nice for its first campus outside Paris! I fully support aivancity and hope it prospers in our metropolitan area.
The arrival of this school proves once again that we are a leading territory in innovation and new technologies, as evidenced by the national designation of the 3IA Côte d’Azur as a major AI cluster, led by the University Côte d’Azur.
AI is increasingly present in our daily lives, and it is essential for our local businesses to have access to talent trained in these challenges with a responsible and ethical approach.”
Nice Côte d’Azur: A Thriving AI Ecosystem
The Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis is a key player in AI development in France, with unique strengths that establish it as a technological innovation leader. Combining top-tier academic institutions such as the Institut 3IA Côte d’Azur and IMREDD from the University Côte d’Azur with strategic infrastructure like Nice Côte d’Azur Airport, the region attracts global businesses and talent.
The entrepreneurial landscape is dynamic, with innovative companies leveraging AI to create groundbreaking solutions across sectors, including health, sports, fintech, and sustainability.
The entrepreneurial fabric of the Metropolis is particularly dynamic, with innovative companies leveraging AI to create groundbreaking solutions across various sectors. Among them, O-Kidia stands out with its Spectrum Mind® platform, dedicated to assessing neurodevelopmental disorders in young people. UncovAI focuses on detecting AI-generated content with exceptional accuracy. Netsooon.ai offers solutions such as Moderate One for online violence detection and Paysooon in fintech, while also developing eco-friendly data centers with DataGreen. Kheops utilizes generative AI to boost SME productivity, optimizing business processes.
HighWind is revolutionizing emergency calls with AI, enhancing safety during disaster situations. FairVision, based in Nice, applies AI to sports analysis, helping athletes maximize their performance. Qualisteo offers AI-based solutions for energy savings, contributing to reducing companies’ carbon footprints. Solaya, a young Nice-based startup, is innovating in e-commerce content production with technology that combines AI, 3D, and computer vision.
Other companies, such as Caranx Medical, are innovating in cardiology with robotic heart valve implantation procedures supported by AI. Klava Innovation provides personalized cognitive-behavioral therapies powered by AI algorithms.
This environment is supported by professional associations such as ClusterIA, which plays a central role in catalyzing innovation and fostering collaboration among businesses, research centers, and public institutions. The exceptional quality of life on the Côte d’Azur, combined with outstanding academic offerings, attracts and retains international talent, ensuring a steady supply of AI specialists to meet the growing needs of local and international businesses.
