AI and the Question of Trust
"One in two people in France have doubts about AI. This Paris AI Action Summit is an opportunity to demonstrate what AI can bring to our lives and society," said Clara Chappaz, as she shared details of the Paris AI Action Summit. Sarah de Lagarde, a motivational speaker, advocate for the development of responsible AI and double amputee describing herself as 80% human and 20% bionic after a tragic accident on the London Underground, ended the evening with a powerful keynote. On stage Sarah was the very real embodiment of the transformative power AI and technology has for human mobility with her AI powered prosthetics.
A Tense Geopolitical Race
"Technology has never been this political, and the summit comes at a crucial moment... the AI race is just beginning. We must not fall into fatalism—nothing is set in stone," stated Clara Chappaz. Despite findings from Edelman’s 2025 Trust Barometer, which reveals that fewer than one in five people in France and the UK believe the next generation will be better off, Nuit de la French Tech offered compelling reasons to be optimistic and view AI in healthcare as a source of hope.
Why Human-AI Collaboration is Key to Adoption
The evening’s first panel, moderated by Mathilde Bacholle, featured insights from Karim Beguir, CEO and cofounder of INSTADEEP, Professor Alison Noble, Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Jean-Baptiste Masson, Decision & Bayesian Computation Head, Institut Pasteur. Together, they explored how AI-driven productivity is transforming industries like healthcare, and why research, creativity, and practical application are essential to unlocking AI’s full potential.
With the AI Action Summit set to take place next month in Paris, the panel discussed the competitive challenges posed by the AI super cycle for France, the UK, and Europe at large. At the same time, they highlighted the opportunities for Europe to assert itself as a leader in the field. The accelerating pace of digital adoption—driven by collaboration between startups and academic institutions—reinforces the crucial point that the future of AI depends on human-AI collaboration. Ensuring AI’s successful and ethical integration requires a balance of innovation, regulation, and trust.
AI is a global phenomenon, but each country’s approach differs, especially in terms of data access and governance. In this context, the Franco-British perspective offers a compelling vision—one where scientific expertise and creativity converge to drive AI adoption in impactful sectors. The panel expressed confidence that, with careful thought and research, a trust-based relationship with AI can be built, encouraging widespread adoption and confidence in the technology.
One key topic was open sourcing as a means to develop more inclusive and trustworthy AI. Mathilde challenged Karim on whether open sourcing was a sound decision for a deeptech startup, given its potential impact on investment prospects. Karim argued, however, that it was the best business decision he had made for InstaDeep. With over 1 million downloads, open-sourcing parts of their work led to countless improvements and new opportunities for further AI development, demonstrating that openness can drive both innovation and commercial success.
A Knowledge Revolution in a Time of Global Healthcare Crisis
The second panel, moderated by Cyrus Tchahardehi and featuring Ekanjali Dhillon, Digital Transformation Change Lead, HCA Healthcare UK, Arnaud Vaissié, CEO and cofounder, International SOS and Fernando Dominguez Pinuaga, VP of Global Outreach, SandboxAQ explored real-world use cases demonstrating that the billions invested globally in AI and digitalisation are delivering tangible value. From the unprecedented speed of COVID-19 vaccine development to AI-driven screening for individuals at risk of Alzheimer’s, the discussion highlighted how AI-powered operational efficiency is not just improving processes—it’s saving lives. The panel emphasised that adoption is now the key challenge, and that humans play a crucial role in accelerating AI's impact.
AI and Human Augmentation: Restoring Mobility in an Ageing Society
The evening closed with a keynote by Sarah de Lagarde, who has personally experienced the transformative power of AI. Sarah believes AI is a game-changer in healthcare, playing a crucial role in her adaptation to life with prosthetic limbs. Beyond the physical hardware, AI-powered software analyses her movements, learning and adapting to make her bionic limbs more intuitive and responsive. Unsurprisingly, she now integrates AI into many aspects of her daily life and work, reinforcing the idea that AI is not just about technology—it’s about unlocking human potential.
“I have personally benefitted from assistive medical technologies. They allowed me to return to work, society, and to the things I enjoy. Two years after first climbing Kilimanjaro, I did it again with my husband, my two children, and two prosthetics.”
A Future Shaped by AI and Collaboration
La Nuit de la French Tech demonstrated that AI’s role in healthcare extends far beyond innovation. It is a force for empowerment, efficiency, and human progress. Through inspiring stories, expert insights, and real-world applications, the event showcased how Franco-British collaboration is driving AI adoption in ways that are both ethical and impactful.
While challenges remain, the evening reinforced a sense of optimism: with the right balance of science, creativity, and trust, AI has the potential to revolutionise healthcare and improve countless lives. As research advances and global partnerships strengthen, the future of AI in healthcare looks not only promising but essential. This call for adoption is timely, as the world will be looking to Paris next month for the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Summit, where more leaders, academics, and startups will rally to ensure AI adoption is ethical, equitable, and trusted.
2025 marks the 10th Anniversary of French Tech London, a community of founders, startup employees, investors, tech enthusiasts and academics and this event was a clear demonstration of their commitment to action for good and the positive impact of technology. Join the movement here.
