Key Highlights:
- On May 21, 2024, French President Emmanuel Macron announced the labeling of nine AI clusters, including the 3IA Côte d’Azur of Université Côte d’Azur.
- An investment of €360 million, including €20 million for 3IA Côte d’Azur, is planned under the France 2030 plan.
- The aim is to more than double the number of AI talents trained in France, from 40,000 to 100,000 per year.
The announcement of the labeling by the President of the Republic
L’institut 3IA Côte d’Azur, porté par Université Côte d’Azur (UCA), a été labellisé parmi les neuf clusters IA sélectionnés dans le cadre du plan France 2030. Le Président de la République française Emmanuel Macron a fait cette annonce ce mardi 21 mai avant l’ouverture du salon VivaTech, soulignant l’ambition de la France de devenir un leader mondial en intelligence artificielle. Cet engagement prévoit un investissement total de 360 millions d’euros, dont 20 millions spécifiquement alloués à l’institut 3IA Côte d’Azur.
The 3IA Côte d’Azur Institute, labeled in 2019, was officially labeled as an AI Cluster following its application to the call for expressions of interest (AMI) “AI Cluster: world-class research and training centers in artificial intelligence” launched under the national strategy in artificial intelligence launched in 2018.
The objectives of the France 2030 plan
The France 2030 plan aims in particular to “more than double the number of AI talents that we will train,” as Emmanuel Macron affirmed, from 40,000 per year to 100,000. This initiative is part of a national strategy to strengthen France’s position in the field of artificial intelligence and cutting-edge technological research.
Recognition for the 3IA Côte d’Azur Institute
Jeanick Brisswalter, President of Université Côte d’Azur, expressed his satisfaction following this labeling. “This labeling enables the Azur consortium to be a center of excellence in terms of research and world-class training in AI and a major player in the growth model of its territory.”
Charles Bouveyron, Director of the 3IA Institute, also welcomed this recognition as the result of “the research and training actions carried out since 2019, thanks to the scientific excellence of our researchers and the quality of our relations with the industrial sector and our international partners.”
“The state grant will be added to the contributions of the public and industrial partners who also contribute to the institute’s economic model; a model that we will have to collectively rework in the coming months in order to adapt the strategy to the financial arbitrations announced,” said Diana Sebbar, Executive Director of the 3IA Côte d’Azur Institute.
Perspectives and impacts for the territory
As part of the 3IA Côte d’Azur AI Cluster project, the Institute will strengthen its research and training partnerships with various international actors based notably in Europe under the “Ulysseus” alliance of European Universities , in Canada, Japan, Brazil, the United States, and India, during the period 2024-2030.
This labeling gives the 3IA Côte d’Azur Institute a privileged status that will strengthen its visibility and attractiveness, both nationally and internationally. This will also help to consolidate collaborations with industrial and academic partners, thereby promoting innovation and the economic growth of the region.
