Decentralization in France, spurred on by decades of territorial reform, now finds a major ally in digital technologies. From the rise of local start-ups to innovation in public services, French Tech plays a key role in revitalizing territories. Between artificial intelligence, collaborative platforms and eco-responsible solutions, local authorities and economic players are redefining the contours of a more balanced France. This article explores the technological stakes of this dynamic, the local initiatives that are driving the future, and the challenges linked todigital inclusion and the ecological transition. Through concrete examples, such as the Capitales French Tech orfrugal AI projects, discover how technological innovation is becoming a lever for territorial cohesion.

French Tech, an ecosystem serving the regions

Since its creation in 2013, Mission French Tech has embodied a strong political will: to make French start-ups a driver of growth and attractiveness for territories. Today, with more than 25,000 start-ups in operation, the French ecosystem stands out for its ability to innovate while anchoring itself in local realities. The 114 French Tech Capitals and Communities, spread across France and abroad, illustrate this dynamic. These structures, accredited for three years, act as catalysts for innovation, adapting national policies to regional specificities.

The figures speak for themselves: every month, 3 out of 5 French people use solutions developed by local start-ups, be they mobility applications, dematerialized public services or collaborative platforms. This massive adoption bears witness to a paradigm shift: technology is no longer the preserve of metropolises, but is becoming a development lever for medium-sized towns and rural areas. For example, initiatives such as operated offices, which redefine urban workspaces, show how innovation can meet the concrete needs of territories. To find out more about these new uses, read this article on operated offices in 2023.

Technological decentralization also means stronger support for entrepreneurs. The 245 start-ups supported by Mission French Tech’s national programs benefit from tailor-made support, whether in terms of financing, mentoring or access to public markets. Among these schemes, the French Tech Tremplin program stands out for promotingequal opportunities, targeting entrepreneurs from under-represented backgrounds. Similarly, the French Tech Next40/120 program identifies and supports technology nuggets with the potential to become world leaders, while ensuring that they are firmly rooted in their home regions.

Un réseau de correspondants pour faciliter l’innovation publique

To facilitate relations between start-ups and the authorities, Mission French Tech relies on a network of more than 60 French Tech Correspondents from key institutions such asURSSAF, France Travail and Bpifrance. These privileged contacts help entrepreneurs navigate the regulatory maze, whether for recruitment, financing orinternationalization. Their role is all the more crucial as local start-ups often have to deal with administrative hurdles that can slow down their growth.

The “Je choisis la French Tech” initiative , launched in 2023, goes even further, encouraging public and private players to double their use of French technology solutions by 2027. This approach is accompanied by training courses, such as the “Je Choisis la French Tech Académie”, a free online platform designed to train start-ups in public procurement. The aim? Enable start-ups to win public contracts, often perceived as inaccessible, and thus boost the local economy.

Artificial intelligence at the heart of territorial transformation

Artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a major tool for local authorities, who are increasingly using it to optimize their services and anticipate citizens’ needs. According to Data Publica’s 2024 barometer, 51% of local authorities have already tested or plan to deploy an AI system in the next twelve months. This accelerated adoption concerns both metropolises (62% have initiated projects) and medium-sized municipalities, where 14% of towns with 3,500 to 10,000 inhabitants have taken the plunge.

Applications range from administrative management (29% of projects), to user relations (11%), to resource optimization. Chatbots and other conversational assistants, often based ongenerative AI, are proliferating to facilitate access to public services. For example, some local authorities are using these tools to answer agents’ questions about their careers, or to guide citizens through administrative procedures. This trend reflects a desire to modernize public action while reducing inequalities in access to services.

L’IA frugale, une réponse aux enjeux écologiques et territoriaux

Faced with the challenges of the ecological transition, AI needs to be not only high-performance, but also frugal. This is the whole point offrugal AI, an approach promoted by the French Ministry of Ecological Transition via calls for projects such as the “Démonstrateurs d’AI frugale des territoires” (DIAT). These initiatives aim to develop solutions that consume little data and energy, while maximizing their positive impact.

The winning projects include innovative applications such as :

• IA.rbre : un outil qui aide la métropole de Lyon à identifier les zones « plantables » pour créer des îlots de fraîcheur et lutter contre les îlots de chaleur urbains.
• Predict AI’r : un système exploitant les données de bornage des téléphones mobiles pour analyser les modes de déplacement et leur impact sur la qualité de l’air, sans multiplier les capteurs.
• Urba(IA) : une plateforme destinée à aider les collectivités franciliennes à réviser leurs plans locaux d’urbanisme (PLU) en intégrant les contraintes environnementales.

These projects illustrate how AI can serve sustainability objectives while adapting to local specificities. They have also led to the creation of a Community of AI Actors in Territories (CAIAT), bringing together elected representatives, researchers, start-ups and companies around a common vision: responsible AI anchored in territories.

L’IA comme sujet de débat citoyen

The adoption of AI by local authorities is not taking place without consultation. Several cities, including Paris, Nantes and Montpellier, have launched citizen consultations to define a doctrine for the ethical use of these technologies. In Nantes, for example, the metropolis has drawn up an “AI compass”, an evolving framework tested through internal experimentation before being submitted for public debate. Montpellier, for its part, organized a Citizens’ Convention on AI, the conclusions of which fed into a metropolitan charter on data and AI.

These participative approaches address a growing concern: 63% of local authorities cite a lack of skills as the main barrier to AI adoption, while 47% express distrust of these systems. By involving citizens, local authorities are seeking to democratize AI and make it a tool at the service of the common good, rather than a subjugated technology. This approach is all the more crucial given that AI raises ethical issues such as data protection and the prevention of algorithmic bias.

The challenges of technological decentralization: inclusion and training

While tech offers unprecedented opportunities for territories, its deployment also raises major challenges, particularly in terms ofdigital inclusion and training. According to a study by Bpifrance, only 31% of VSE-SMEs were usinggenerative AI by the end of 2024, a figure that is on the rise but reveals significant disparities depending on company size and location. Rural areas and small towns often lag behind, due to a lack of suitable infrastructure or local skills.

To remedy this, initiatives such as French Tech Rise aim to support start-up financing in the regions, while training programs, such as those offered by Capitales French Tech, seek to democratize access to digital skills. However, there are still obstacles in the way: 50% of VSE-SME managers say they are reluctant to embrace generative AI, citing a lack of expertise (25%) or a lack of understanding of its uses (70%).

Le dialogue social, un levier pour une tech inclusive

The arrival of AI in the world of work is also raising questions about organizational models and skills. According to the CESE (Economic, Social and Environmental Council), AI could transform 30% of hours worked in Europe by 2030, with varying effects depending on the sector. While some professions are threatened by automation, others could emerge, requiring adaptation of training and enhanced social dialogue.

Tools such as Dial-IA, a toolbox developed byIRES (Institut de Recherches Économiques et Sociales) andANACT, aim to facilitate dialogue between employers and employees on these issues. This device offers practical sheets to tackle topics such as algorithmic biases, theimpact on occupational health, or the sharing of value generated by AI. The aim is to ensure that technology does not widen inequalities, but instead becomes a lever for inclusion and skills enhancement.

On a European scale, the AI regulations currently being finalized seek to frame these transformations by favoring a risk-based approach. Systems deemed “high-risk” (such as those used in employment or justice) will be subject to strict obligations, while “limited-risk” applications (such as chatbots) will have to guarantee greater transparency. These regulations, expected by 2025, could provide a reassuring framework for local authorities and businesses.

Vers une ville de demain plus collaborative et durable

Technological decentralization is not limited to digital tools: it is also redefining urban uses and business models. Projects such as third places or coworking spaces in rural areas illustrate this trend, offering shared infrastructures that foster innovation and social cohesion. At the same time, initiatives such as HipTown are exploring new models ofcollaborative real estate, where spaces are designed to be modular and shared. To find out more about these innovations, discover how real estate is reinventing itself in the city of tomorrow.

These dynamics are part of a broader vision of the sustainable city, where technology simultaneously serveseconomic efficiency,social inclusion and the ecological transition. Whether through shared mobility platforms, intelligent resource management tools or local reindustrialization projects, French territories are showing that innovation can be a driver of resilience and shared prosperity.