Marking its tenth anniversary, VivaTech 2026 attracted more than 200,000 attendees to Paris and reinforced its position as one of Europe’s leading technology events. With speakers including Jeff Bezos, Emmanuel Macron, Narendra Modi and Meta’s Yann LeCun, the event showcased the technologies shaping the future, but the dominant theme was not technological possibility, but practical delivery.

Across AI, quantum computing, cybersecurity, robotics and health tech, conversations focused less on what technology could achieve one day and more on how organisations can create value from it today.

1. AI moves into execution mode

AI remained the headline topic, but the conversation has evolved significantly. Businesses are no longer debating whether to adopt AI; they are focused on implementation, governance and measurable outcomes.

The topic that drew particular interested was Agentic AI, with organisations exploring how autonomous systems can complete tasks across workflows rather than simply respond to prompts. People wanted to hear from companies demonstrating real-world results rather than those making the boldest predictions, which means that the focus is shifting from possibility to proven impact.

2. Quantum computing enters the commercial conversation

While quantum computing has long been viewed as a transformative technology, as in a recent podcast we did with Oxford Ionics, discussions have often been dominated by future potential. This year at VivaTech, the tone felt more practical.

Industry leaders highlighted applications in financial services, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing and energy, and many of the speakers positioned AI and quantum computing as complementary technologies. Rather than asking whether quantum computing will matter, organisations are increasingly asking where it will deliver value first and how commercialisation can be accelerated.

3. Europe seeks a stronger role in global technology

It was hardly surprising that technological sovereignty was a recurring theme throughout the event, not least as the event was held in Paris. As AI infrastructure and advanced computing become increasingly important to economic growth and national security, European leaders are defining the region’s place in a technology landscape largely shaped by the US and China.

Rather than pursuing complete independence, the discussions focused on strengthening European capabilities while remaining connected to global markets, with an ambition is to become a stronger, more capable partner within the international technology ecosystem.

4. Health tech and robotics move closer to everyday adoption

No tech event exists without robots and some of the most compelling demonstrations came from health technology and robotics. Exhibitors showcased advances ranging from AI-powered drug discovery to brain-computer interfaces, many of which are already progressing beyond research environments.

There was also significant momentum in robotics, particularly technologies designed to work alongside people in healthcare, customer service and assisted living. There’s a clear message here, adoption is becoming a question of timing rather than feasibility.

5. Cybercrime is increasingly viewed as an economic challenge

One of the most thought-provoking discussions reframed cybersecurity as an economic issue rather than purely a technical one. Speakers highlighted how modern cybercriminal groups increasingly operate like businesses, with specialist teams, recruitment functions and commercial structures. As long as cybercrime remains profitable and accessible, new threats will continue to emerge, so it’s vital that organisations and governments also focus on making cybercrime more difficult, costly and less financially rewarding.

Looking ahead

A consistent theme ran through every major discussion at VivaTech 2026: implementation. Organisations are no longer judged solely on their ability to develop breakthrough technologies, but on their ability to deploy them effectively, scale them and demonstrate tangible value.

After a decade of showcasing the future, VivaTech 2026 felt focused on a more immediate challenge: turning technological progress into real-world outcomes.