From February 13 to 15, 2025, the World Artificial Intelligence Cannes Festival – WAICF will transform the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès in Cannes into the global meeting point for companies, researchers, and innovators in Artificial Intelligence. Born with the ambition to explore the challenges and opportunities related to AI, WAICF confirms itself as a key event at a time when 50% of companies plan to reorganize to harness this technology’s potential.
Artificial Intelligence is now a driving force for economic and social change. According to the Future of Jobs Report 2025, 86% of companies believe that AI will transform their business by 2030, while roles such as AI Engineer and Machine Learning Specialist are among the fastest growing.
Italy, also aware of the strategic importance of these issues, will participate in WAICF 2025 thanks to the delegation organized by ITA-ICE. This participation confirms Italy’s commitment to positioning itself as a key player in the international Artificial Intelligence landscape.
WAICF: The Global Meeting Point for Artificial Intelligence
The World Artificial Intelligence Cannes Festival (WAICF) represents one of the most anticipated events in the global Artificial Intelligence scene. With over 10,000 participants and 320 international speakers, WAICF is where industry leaders, innovators, and decision-makers come together to define the most revolutionary AI strategies in the world. The event will conclude the week of the AI Action Summit – which will be held on February 10 and 11 at the Grand Palais in Paris – making France the global hub of AI innovation.
With a program spread over three days, WAICF offers a unique experience of learning, networking, and discovery. From the presentation of the most promising technologies to conferences exploring AI use cases in key sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing, retail, and finance, the event aims to inspire and guide the strategic adoption of Artificial Intelligence. Moreover, the last day of the festival will be dedicated to the general public, offering interactive experiences and inspirational talks to engage and train the next generation of enthusiasts and professionals in the sector.
At WAICF, AI meets the needs of the industry. With the support of organizations such as the EuropIA Institute, the event positions itself as the ideal place to explore the future of AI in all its forms, promoting an approach that goes beyond profit, with a vision oriented towards economic, human, and social impact.
The Italian Participation in WAICF 2025
Recognizing the importance of the theme, Italy will once again participate in WAICF with a delegation supported by ITA-ICE, the agency for the promotion abroad and internationalization of Italian companies. Following the success of the last edition, the ICE Agency will organize an Italian pavilion dedicated to innovative startups and SMEs active in the field of Artificial Intelligence. This space, designed to promote Italian technology abroad, aims to foster meetings among companies, investors, and innovators from all over the world.
The “Villaggio Italia”, set up over an area of 138 square meters, will offer individual workstations for the participating companies, along with an ICE desk serving as a reference and reception point. The initiative aims to showcase the skills of our companies, fostering interaction with the main global players in the AI sector through business meetings, networking events, and technological demonstrations.
At WAICF 2025, the companies present in the Italian pavilion organized by ITA-ICE will have the opportunity to exhibit their solutions in an internationally significant context. Among the innovative realities representing Italy will be Social Thingum, a company offering advanced technological consulting, recognized as a Technology Transfer Center for Industry 4.0 and among the 100 top innovators in Artificial Intelligence selected by the European Digital SME Alliance. Social Thingum is also a member of the European Digital Innovation Hub of AI Magister and stands out for its commitment to research, thanks to collaborations with leading universities and companies in the sector.
Also present in Cannes will be WhoTeach, the intelligent Digital Learning platform designed for training institutes and companies, which offers advanced tools to optimize learning and skills management.
The consulting company Social Thingum, one of the 42 Technology Transfer Centers accredited to the MISE, will also bring its expertise and know-how to Cannes. In fact, specialized in the development of cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence solutions, it supports the Digital Transformation of companies with applications across various business sectors. Additionally, it is part of the European Digital Innovation Hub of AI Magister.
In short, this event represents an opportunity to showcase the high technological standards achieved by our country and a chance to strengthen competitiveness, forge international collaborations, and attract new investments.
Conclusion
The World Artificial Intelligence Cannes Festival 2025 confirms itself as a must-attend event to understand the future of Artificial Intelligence and its impact on business models, professions, and society.
The Italian participation, led by ITA-ICE, represents a strategic opportunity for innovative startups and SMEs that want to remain competitive and anticipate sector trends.
Being present in Cannes means not only connecting with global AI leaders but also actively contributing to the ongoing transformation, reinforcing Italy’s role in the international technology ecosystem.