Global networking and cybersecurity solutions vendor Cisco has expanded its strategic initiatives in France, establishing the country as a key Global AI Hub in its worldwide innovation strategy. Unveiled at the Choose France Summit in Paris, this move is aligned with the French government’s France 2030 agenda, which aims to foster technological leadership, economic resilience, and digital sovereignty.
The new Global AI Hub will focus on three core pillars: building safe and energy-efficient AI infrastructure, accelerating innovation in the startup ecosystem, and equipping the workforce with future-ready digital skills. Cisco’s commitment would mark a deepening of its 36-year relationship with France and reinforces the nation’s growing role in global AI leadership.
Cisco Chair and CEO Chuck Robbins underscored France’s strengths – highly skilled talent, a mature digital infrastructure, and a vibrant innovation landscape – as key reasons for choosing it as a central node in Cisco’s AI ambitions. “The AI revolution is reshaping the world, and we’re proud to deepen our 36-year partnership with France,” said Chuck Robbins. “France is well-positioned to lead the way, and Cisco’s investments in AI and skills throughout Europe will help realize the continent’s full potential.”
As part of the initiative, Cisco will establish a Paris-based center focused on developing advanced, energy-efficient data center cooling technologies – a critical component of building sustainable AI-ready infrastructure. These efforts reflect a broader industry shift toward reducing the environmental impact of AI and cloud computing deployments.
Digital Skills Training Programs in France
In parallel, Cisco is significantly scaling its education and digital skills training programs. Over the next three years, the company plans to train 230,000 people in France, offering courses ranging from digital fundamentals to advanced certifications in cybersecurity, AI, data science, and Internet of Things (IoT). This effort contributes to Cisco’s broader European goal of training 1.5 million people in digital skills by 2030.
The initiative builds on the long-standing success of Cisco Networking Academy, one of the world’s largest and oldest IT skills-to-jobs programs. The academy has trained approximately 400,000 individuals in France since 2001 through its network of over 500 partner institutions. Many of these courses are accessible via mobile devices, making them widely available to diverse segments of the population.
Cisco also maintains strong ties with France’s academic and research communities, having collaborated with leading universities for more than 15 years. The company plans to expand these partnerships with a sharpened focus on AI and emerging technologies such as quantum computing, positioning French institutions at the forefront of digital research and development.
$1B AI Fund
Startups remain a critical component of Cisco’s French AI agenda. The company intends to deepen its engagement with regional innovators, especially those focused on artificial intelligence, quantum technology, and next-generation infrastructure. This complements Cisco’s recent AI investment moves, including its selection of Paris-based Mistral AI as one of the recipients of its $1 billion AI fund. In February 2025, Cisco and Mistral AI unveiled their first co-developed AI agent, signaling a growing collaboration.
Cisco’s enduring presence in France has helped shape the country’s digital landscape since 1989. Through its Country Digital Acceleration (CDA) program, the company has led 14 large-scale national projects since 2015, targeting areas such as sovereign cloud, cybersecurity, and digital infrastructure for defense. These initiatives underline Cisco’s strategic alignment with France’s broader goals for digital independence and innovation.
Beyond technology deployment, Cisco has actively supported cultural and sporting initiatives, further embedding itself into the social and economic fabric of the country. Its expanding footprint in France reflects a broader ambition: to build an AI-powered future that is secure, inclusive, and sustainable.
By committing to infrastructure, education, and entrepreneurship in France, Cisco is positioning itself as a central enabler of Europe’s digital transformation. The launch of the Global AI Hub is not only a testament to France’s strategic importance in the tech world but also a signal of Cisco’s long-term investment in shaping the global AI ecosystem.
