If data is the new oil of the modern age, artificial intelligence is the vital engine capable of transforming it into tangible economic and social value.
Article Index:
- Convening of the Second Edition of the French-Emirati Business Forum
- High-Level Institutional Partnerships and Innovative Ecosystem Alliance
- Statements from the French Chamber and Sorbonne University
- Forum Slogan and Specialized Discussion Pillars
- Industrial Participation by Major Global Companies
- Innovation Village and Startup Presentations
- Frequently Asked Questions
Convening of the Second Edition of the French-Emirati Business Forum
The French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the UAE is preparing to hold the second edition of the “French-Emirati Business Forum: Voices of AI 2026” on September 22 at the campus of Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi. This prominent event is taking place in academic cooperation with knowledge partner Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, and in coordination with a selection of strategic partners led by the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Team France Export via Business France, the French public investment bank Bpifrance, the Regional Economic Section of the French Embassy, the “La French Tech Abu Dhabi-Dubai” network, and French Foreign Trade Advisors.
The forum continues to strengthen its position as a leading and pivotal platform connecting the artificial intelligence ecosystems in France and the United Arab Emirates, at a time when bilateral cooperation between the two countries is witnessing rapid strategic momentum supported by massive investments in computing infrastructure and advanced industrial application development.
High-Level Institutional Partnerships and Innovative Ecosystem Alliance
The forum brings together elite government policymakers, academics, researchers, investors, entrepreneurs, and technology leaders from across Europe and the Middle East to explore the growing role of artificial intelligence in business, industry, and society amidst current geopolitical and economic changes.
The forum acts as a strategic bridge covering the entire artificial intelligence value chain; starting from scientific research and university education, through capital investment and startup funding, to industrial and commercial applications, while facilitating market entry opportunities in the UAE and Gulf region for French startups and strengthening mutual trade and investment ties between Paris and Abu Dhabi.
Statements from the French Chamber and Sorbonne University
Agnès Lopez Cruz, General Manager of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the UAE, stated that the forum has successfully built upon the remarkable success of its inaugural edition to cement its position as an essential platform for bilateral cooperation, adding: “Through this edition, we are reinforcing our ambition to connect innovative ecosystems, showcase technical excellence, and create genuine investment business opportunities that contribute to building a sustainable and globally competitive artificial intelligence landscape.”
For her part, Professor Nathalie Martial-Braz, Vice-Chancellor of Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, emphasized that the close historical relations between the UAE and France continue to create outstanding opportunities in the fields of education, scientific research, and innovation. She explained that the university is proud to support this dialogue as part of its agenda for the “Year of AI,” to enhance technological infrastructure and responsible development of the technologies shaping the future of societies.
Forum Slogan and Specialized Discussion Pillars
The conference program adopts a core theme emphasizing that “if data is the new oil, artificial intelligence is the engine,” reflecting the pivotal role of advanced technologies in turning raw data into strategic insights, economic value, and sustainable social impact that restructures traditional productive sectors.
Specialized panel discussions cover issues of digital sovereignty and sensitive data protection under modern legislation, healthcare and targeted precision medicine applications, clean energy sources and infrastructure modernization, agentic commerce in retail and luxury goods, alongside the role of digital humanities in guiding innovations and framing ethical guidelines that ensure the safe and responsible use of artificial intelligence.
Industrial Participation by Major Global Companies
Event organizers anticipate the participation of more than 300 high-level figures representing government institutions, academia, investment sectors, and industry in the one-day event.
The gathering will feature industrial and commercial insights from elite leading organizations and companies, including Schneider Electric, Dassault Systèmes, Alcatel, L’Oréal, Chalhoub Group, and Abghar, alongside academic insights from Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi.
Innovation Village and Startup Presentations
The agenda includes extensive plenary sessions, sector-specific specialized panel discussions, startup pitches to attract funding, and reviews of white papers and working papers forecasting the future of innovative cooperation.
The event also features the “Innovation Village,” an immersive interactive space dedicated to showcasing AI-powered solutions and technologies directly to attendees and investors to open horizons for immediate contracting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: When and where is the Voices of AI Forum 2026 taking place?
Answer: The forum takes place on September 22, 2026, at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, organized by the French Chamber of Commerce in the UAE.
Question: What is the core slogan and main focus of the conference program?
Answer: It focuses on the principle that “if data is the new oil, artificial intelligence is the engine” to transform data into economic value.
Question: What are the most prominent issues to be discussed in the forum sessions?
Answer: The sessions discuss digital sovereignty and data protection, precision medicine, energy, and agentic commerce in luxury goods.
