Event: The World AI Cannes Festival Returns to Cannes from February 8 to 10 for its Third Edition
Event: The World AI Cannes Festival Returns to Cannes from February 8 to 10 for its Third Edition: While Cannes is renowned for its Croisette and film festival, the World AI Cannes Festival (WAICF) has, for the past two years, transformed the city into the global hub of the AI ecosystem for a few days. The city will once again host this now indispensable event from February 8 to 10, reclaiming its position as the neural center of AI. The Palais des Festivals et des Congrès will welcome experts, businesses, and the general public through a tailor-made program during this promising 2024 edition.
Established in 2022 by the EuropAI institute, the City of Cannes, the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, and CORP Agency, a subsidiary of the RX group, which produces and organizes the event. The Alpes-Maritimes department is once again the official partner of this third edition, with numerous companies already sponsoring the event.
Thursday, February 8, and Friday, February 9, will be dedicated to professionals with strategic conferences, reflection workshops, exhibition booths, and networking sessions. The open day on the following Saturday will again be devoted to introducing the general public to AI through 100 entertaining experiences and specially designed animations.
Successful Previous Editions The Festival aims to be the observatory for market trends and a venue for professionals to exchange ideas, while also offering the general public a glimpse of how AI could transform their daily lives.
In 2023, WAICF hosted nearly 8,000 in-person professionals and 2,500 online. They had the opportunity to stay updated on market news, learn from top experts, and meet decision-makers and leading business executives through over 250 conferences, workshops, and startup pitches.
On its last day, the festival opened its doors for free to 4,000 people, allowing them to discover AI and understand its positive impact on their daily lives. The increased attendance figures (+50%) not only highlight the scale of the event but also the enthusiasm for AI.
New Features of the 2024 Edition The 2024 figures confirm the success of the festival: no less than 16,000 participants, 300 globally renowned speakers, and 230 exhibitors are expected, with 250 planned sessions.
As with previous editions, WAICF 2024 will consist of several thematic zones, offering a comprehensive view of AI in various aspects: sports, HR, robotics, gaming, well-being, food and hospitality, AR/VR, and more. Companies and AI stakeholders will present their solutions and provide demonstrations and immersive experiences.
International pavilions will allow visitors to explore the diversity of AI and meet startups that will shape the future of Tech. The Festival will also be an opportunity to discover the work of the most prestigious universities and researchers in AI.
Another novelty, the VC Summit, exclusively open to investors, will provide insights into investment issues in the AI field, as well as its opportunities, including the discovery of the most innovative startups in the sector.
Like in 2022 and 2023, WAICF will host masterclasses for executives and professionals looking to update their knowledge on AI, workshops and demonstrations of solutions, as well as startup pitches with over 50 young talents presenting their projects.
Renowned Speakers on the Lineup WAICF provides professionals and AI experts with an opportunity to gather and discuss industry developments. This new edition offers an exceptional program with numerous international speakers from professional backgrounds, research, and public authorities, including:
- Yann LECUN, Vice-President and Chief AI Scientist, META AI;
- Nick BOSTROM, Professor at Oxford University and head of the Future, Humanity Institute (remote);
- Adam CHEYER, Inventor, Entrepreneur, and Pioneer in AI and computer-human interfaces;
- Luc JULIA, Scientific Director, RENAULT;
- Francesca ROSSI, Fellow and AI Ethics Global Leader, IBM;
- Jean-Gabriel GANASCIA, Professor, SORBONNE UNIVERSITY;
- Antonio KRÜGER, Chief Executive Officer, German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence;
- Laurent DAUDET, CEO & Co-founder, LightOn;
- Jeannette GORZALA, Vice-President, European AI Forum;
- Esma AIMEUR, Professor at the Department of Computer Science, University of Montreal.
Premium Conference Program WAICF 2024 will offer a high-level conference program providing a comprehensive overview of AI, from its practical applications to its strategic, ethical, and entrepreneurial implications, through the following six categories:
- THE AMBASSADORS' THEATER: explore what AI can do today to imagine what future innovations will bring to society and organizations;
- AI APPLICATIONS: gain insight into the progress AI can bring to organizations, with insights into various sectors;
- AI TECHNOLOGY AND STRATEGY: learn how to best use different AI technologies and foster innovation with expert speakers.
- DEMO SESSION: get tangible proof of product functionality and make the best purchasing decisions for future AI projects.
- STARTUP PITCHES: innovation takes center stage with pitches from 50 startup founders supporting their concepts before the global AI ecosystem;
- VC SUMMIT: an exclusive, invitation-only program to provide AI investors with perspectives on investment issues and opportunities, including the discovery of the most innovative startups in the sector.