Episode Details

Guest: François Bitouzet, Managing Director at Viva Technology [@VivaTech]

On LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/fran%C3%A7ois-bitouzet-180a89/

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Host: Marco Ciappelli, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine [@ITSPmagazine] and Host of Redefining Society Podcast

On ITSPmagazine | https://www.itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-podcast-radio-hosts/marco-ciappelli

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Episode Notes

Event Recap and Highlights

Marco Ciappelli opens the discussion with a warm greeting, reflecting on his recent travel experiences and upcoming conferences. François Bitouzet, the guest of honor, then dives straight into the heart of the Viva Tech 2024 event, providing detailed insights into its scope, significance, and impact.

An Overview of Viva Tech

François explains that Viva Tech is a four-day event held annually in Paris, focusing on bringing together stakeholders in the innovation sphere. This year’s event saw the participation of 155,000 attendees from 120 countries, showcasing thousands of startups, tech leaders from companies like Google and Meta, corporate giants such as Audi and LVMH, as well as public sector representatives.

The Unique Format and Initiatives

One of the most distinctive features of Viva Tech 2024 was its two-fold format. For the first three days, the event catered to the B2B audience, allowing startups and investors to network and collaborate. On the final day, it opened its doors to the general public. This approach aimed to make technology accessible to everyone, regardless of their professional background.

François highlighted various initiatives like the “100+100” program, where 100 successful business women in tech spent a day mentoring young girls. This not only promoted diversity and inclusion but also inspired the next generation to pursue careers in technology.

Focus on AI and Other Innovations

While Artificial Intelligence (AI) was a major talking point, François emphasized that the event delved deeper into how AI is shaping different business sectors rather than just focusing on the technology itself. By bringing in sector-specific insights, the event sought to provide a realistic perspective on the current impact and future potential of AI.

Memorable Moments and Creativity

François shared several memorable moments from the event, including a live Q&A session with Elon Musk, who joined virtually to answer unfiltered questions from the audience. This showcased the raw and authentic engagement the event aims to foster.

Another highlight was the collaboration with the European retailer FNAC, which set up a kiosk where speakers could sign books for the attendees. This initiative bridged the gap between traditional formats and modern technology, exemplifying how the old and the new can coexist harmoniously.

Looking Ahead

As the conversation winded down, Marco and François discussed the future of Viva Tech, hinting at more surprises and creative content for next year. François emphasized the importance of injecting poetry and romance—metaphorically speaking—into the world of tech to retain its human touch and inspirational value.

Call to Action

Finally, Marco encouraged listeners to make plans to attend Viva Tech 2025, expressing his excitement about potentially meeting his audience in person. François echoed this sentiment, inviting everyone to experience the blend o