More than 35,000 French companies have been supported in nine months by the network of AI Ambassadors, as part of the national Osez l'IA plan. The stated objective, 100% of large companies and 50% of micro-businesses using AI by 2030, makes the spread of AI a state priority rather than a passing market trend.
The facts
- The plan targets 100% of large companies, 80% of SMEs and mid-sized companies, and 50% of micro-businesses by 2030.
- The Accélérez avec l'IA platform, built by the DGE and Bpifrance, lists use cases by business sector.
- Bpifrance Conseil is rolling out two support schemes co-funded by the France 2030 plan.
What does this plan change for SMEs?
The most important signal is the identity of the sender rather than the figure: when the state sets quantified targets for AI adoption by micro-businesses and SMEs and dedicates co-funded schemes to it, the subject leaves the “technology bet” category for good and joins that of expected transformations, like digitalisation or electronic invoicing before it. Companies that wait and see will find themselves catching up with a movement that has become standard.
In practical terms, the plan lowers the cost of entry: sector use cases documented on the DGE and Bpifrance platform, support co-funded by France 2030, a network of Ambassadors for a first diagnosis. For an SME in the Greater Region operating on both sides of the border, this is a concrete window to structure its upskilling, with a reduced out-of-pocket cost.
One matter of timing remains: co-funded schemes attract more candidates as the deadline approaches. Companies that structure their approach now, a diagnosis, a training plan, prioritised use cases, benefit from the scheme in good conditions, instead of discovering it at the same time as everyone else.
AIxH's view
This movement directly affects our clients in France and the Greater Region: several of our AI training courses already fit into this dynamic. If you are wondering where to start, a first conversation is often enough to identify the scheme suited to your situation.