News Summary:

• At the Choose France Summit, Cisco announced initiatives in France focused on digital upskilling, energy-efficient AI-ready infrastructure and the AI startup ecosystem.
• Cisco plans to expand its contribution to France’s AI and digital skills development with a roadmap to train 230,000 people over the next three years.
• Cisco to strengthen partnerships with French startups in AI, quantum and next generation infrastructure, building on its investment in Mistral AI through Cisco’s $1 billion AI fund.

PARIS, May 19, 2025 - Cisco, the global leader in networking and security, announced a new wave of strategic initiatives in France that will lead to the creation of a Global AI Hub. The hub will focus on secure, energy-efficient AI infrastructure, digital upskilling and startup ecosystem innovation. This move aligns with France 2030, the national strategy for technological advancement and economic resilience.

At the Choose France Summit in Paris, Chuck Robbins, Chair & CEO of Cisco, commented, “The AI revolution is reshaping the world, and we’re proud to deepen our 36-year partnership with France as it continues towards global AI leadership. With top talent, strong infrastructure, and a vibrant ecosystem, France is well-positioned to lead the way, and Cisco’s investments in AI and skills across Europe will help unlock the continent’s full potential.”

A Global AI Hub

Cisco is choosing France as one of its Global AI Hubs to accelerate the development of energy-efficient, AI-ready infrastructure. Part of this initiative will be a global center of expertise for innovative cooling solutions for data centers, based in Paris. This represents a major step in enabling energy-efficient data centers that are at the heart of an AI-ready infrastructure.

Skills Development for a Future-Proof Workforce

Faithful to its commitment to foster inclusive digital transformation, Cisco plans to expand its contribution to France’s AI and digital skills development. Over the next three years, Cisco plans to train 230,000 people, offering programs that range from basic skills to professional certifications. This initiative supports Cisco’s EU-wide commitment to train 1.5 million people by 2030 and provide free access to the digital skills needed for the digital world and the future of work.

Delivered through Cisco’s Networking Academy, one of the world’s longest-running IT skills-to-jobs programs, free courses enhance digital literacy with a focus on digital awareness, cybersecurity, data science, IoT and AI, which are accessible across a variety of devices including mobile phones. Since 2001, Cisco has trained nearly 400,000 individuals in France. With a network of over 500 academies across the country, Cisco continues to develop a digitally skilled workforce ready to meet future demands.

In addition to its skills training programs, Cisco France has cultivated impactful research and educational partnerships with some of France's most esteemed universities over 15 years and is deeply committed to advancing this collaboration in the future, with a focus on AI and Quantum Technologies.

Investing in Next-Generation Start-Up Ecosystem

As a long-standing supporter of the French startup ecosystem, Cisco plans to deepen its local partnerships in AI, Quantum technologies and next generation infrastructure.

This initiative builds on Cisco’s previous investments in France including Mistral AI, the leading AI company headquartered in Paris, which Cisco selected as part of a series of investments from its $1 billion AI fund. In February 2025, Cisco and Mistral AI announced their first jointly developed AI Agent.

Cisco’s Commitment to France

Cisco has been a trusted technology partner in France since 1989, playing a pivotal role in building the nation’s digital infrastructure.

Since 2015, Cisco’s Country Digital Acceleration (CDA) program has driven 14 national-scale projects across key sectors including cybersecurity, sovereign cloud, and defense. These projects underscore Cisco’s commitment to advancing France’s digital resilience and innovation goals.

From supporting major sports events to advancing AI readiness through collaborative R&D and investment, Cisco’s footprint in France continues to grow in scale and impact.

About Cisco

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