Paris Region Signs Cooperation Agreement with Karnataka to Boost AI and New Technologies
The President of the Paris Region, Valerie Pecresse, has recently signed a cooperation agreement with the Chief Minister of the State of Karnataka, Siddaramaiah, during her official visit to India. The agreement aims to strengthen collaboration between the two regions in key areas such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), new technologies, environmental protection, and the industries of tomorrow.
This partnership with the State of Karnataka will allow the Paris Region to foster new alliances among economic players in the industrial and new technology sectors, focusing on futuristic projects such as digital transformation, AI, environmental conservation, and the development of industries of the future. The agreement also facilitates closer cooperation in promising areas such as biotechnology and green hydrogen.
With more than 5,300 biotech startups and 760 biotech companies operating in India, as well as a significant investment of $6.7 billion in a green hydrogen project in Karnataka in 2022, the Paris Region aims to promote the growth of these industries within its territory. The agreement will also encourage Indian tech groups to invest in the Parisian tech scene, where they have already made significant investments.
Furthermore, the declaration of intent includes a collaboration agreement between the Paris Region, the IIITB (Bangalore International Institute of Information Technology), Aivancity Ecole Technologique Business & Societe Paris-Cachan, and Choose Paris Region. This partnership aims to deploy digital solutions and AI to enhance the experience of foreign tourists, especially in the lead-up to the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. It also focuses on developing the AI sector in the Paris region through the establishment of an ‘AI and Ethics’ course and an annual student exchange program between IIITB and Aivancity Ecole Technologique Business & Societe.
President Valerie Pecresse’s visit to India included meetings with Indian ministers, representatives from various business sectors, and influential figures in the culture, tourism, weddings, and cinema industries. The visit aimed to promote Paris as the top financial center of Europe following Brexit, and to attract Indian visitors and businesses to the Paris Region.
As a direct outcome of the visit, Metavisio (Thomson Computing) announced a significant deal with Flipkart, one of India’s leading e-commerce platforms. The agreement involves a commitment of 74,000 units and positions Thomson as a strong brand for e-commerce in India, with products manufactured locally. Other companies from the Paris Region delegation are also considering establishing subsidiaries in India in the near future.
Overall, the cooperation agreement between the Paris Region and Karnataka represents a step towards strengthening ties in the fields of AI, new technologies, and environmental protection. It also opens up opportunities for economic cooperation and mutual growth, benefiting both regions and fostering innovation in various sectors.
