A public initiative to accelerate the appropriation of AI in the economic fabric
On July 1, 2025, at an event at Bercy, Clara Chappaz, Minister Delegate for Artificial Intelligence and the Digital Economy, presented the “Osez l’AI” program, the Government’s latest AI initiative. This announcement marks a structuring step in the National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence (SNIA), launched back in 2018 by the President of the Republic.
While major corporations began their algorithmic transition several years ago, small and medium-sized businesses are still lagging behind when it comes to integrating artificial intelligence into their business processes. The “Osez l’IA” plan therefore aims to accelerate this adoption on a national scale, by providing tools, training and targeted support, in order to make AI accessible, concrete and responsible for all economic players.
Through this scheme, the French government aims to boost the competitiveness of French companies, encourage local innovation and increase the country’s technological independence, in a global context of increasing competition on the artificial intelligence front.1.
A plan structured around four pillars of action
The “Osez l’IA” scheme is based on four complementary axes, designed to respond to the obstacles identified in the field:
- Training and acculturation: online modules and workshops will be offered to 30,000 VSE/SME managers by 2026.
- Customized diagnostics and support: accredited consulting firms will help companies identify relevant AI uses.
- Investment support: a budget of 250 million euros has been mobilized to co-finance the integration of AI solutions.
- Shared platforms: “AI hubs” will be set up in each region to provide technical resources (data, models, open source tools).
The program also relies on the Public Investment Bank (Bpifrance) and CCIs for local deployment.
Concrete use cases to enhance operational performance
The plan aims to encourage simple, high ROI uses, adapted to the realities of each sector. Use cases include
- Commerce: product recommendations and sales forecasts.
- Logistics: optimizing inventories and delivery routes.
- Industry: predictive maintenance and automated quality control.
- Services: automated response to customer requests via AI assistants.
According to France Stratégie, companies that have integrated at least one AI use report an average 18% increase in productivity within two years2.
Gradual adoption, but still mixed
Despite the demonstrated benefits, only 28% of French SMEs said they were using AI solutions at the start of 2025, compared with more than 50% in Germany or the United States3. This delay is notably linked to a lack of skills, visibility on solutions, and financial resources.
With “Osez l’IA”, the Government intends to bridge this technological divide by facilitating access to turnkey AI solutions, supported by a network of public and private partners.
Towards responsible and inclusive AI for all businesses
One of the innovative aspects of the plan lies in its commitment to ethical and transparent AI. All labeled service providers will have to commit to respecting the principles of the future European AI Act regulation, in terms of transparency, non-discrimination, data protection and auditability.
Ethical self-diagnosis tools and practical guides will be made available to support companies in the controlled adoption of AI. The message is clear: responsible AI is a factor of trust, and therefore of ownership.
What will the company of tomorrow look like with AI?
The integration of artificial intelligence in small and medium-sized businesses goes far beyond simple technological modernization. It paves the way for a profound transformation of the value chain, from customer relations and logistics to product design and human resources management.
The company of tomorrow will be able to rely on predictive tools to anticipate market trends, automate certain repetitive tasks while refocusing employees on high value-added missions. It will also be able to personalize its offer with greater finesse, and become more resilient thanks to the continuous analysis of its data.
A long-term dynamic for a more competitive economy
The “Osez l’AI” (Dare AI) plan is a milestone in France’s strategy to democratize artificial intelligence. By focusing on technological inclusion, training and local support, it addresses the main obstacles to adoption.
But this impetus can only produce its effects if it is followed by the ongoing mobilization of industries, territories and innovation players. The digital transformation of French companies will depend on their ability to experiment, collaborate and train collectively in AI. In this respect, “Osez l’IA” is not an end, but a beginning.
References
1. Ministry of the Economy. (2025). Launch of the “Dare AI” program for businesses.
http://www.economie.gouv.fr/osez-ia
2. France Stratégie. (2024). AI and productivity in French SMEs.
http://www.strategie.gouv.fr/publications/ia-et-pme
3. McKinsey & Company. (2024). State of AI in Europe.
http://www.mckinsey.com/ai-europe-2024
