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VivaTech 2025: DFKI and Inria send a strong signal for European AI cooperation

| Awards

As part of the French-German Tech Lab, both institutions presented six promising start-ups, including the DFKI spin-off Gretchen AI, which won the award for “Most Promising Start-up” in the cybersecurity category. Gretchen AI provides a modular B2B platform for deepfake detection and context-based image verification, specifically designed for fact-checkers, media companies, and public institutions.

The Gretchen AI team with the "Most Promising Start-up" award.

For the fourth consecutive time, DFKI and Inria demonstrated the strength and forward-looking Franco-German cooperation in the field of AI at VivaTech, with growing resonance among experts, start-ups, and politicians. The joint program offered a wide range of insights, featuring stage presentations, project presentations, and a Franco-German panel on funding opportunities and start-up initiatives in both countries.

Prof. Dr. Antonio Krüger, CEO DFKI

"The French-German Tech Lab at Vivatechnology provides us with the ideal stage to showcase the successes of the cooperation between DFKI and Inria. Only through close German-French cooperation can a practical, strategic, and forward-facing, sovereign European AI ecosystem be built."

Prof. Dr. Antonio Krüger, CEO DFKI

Another highlight was the visit of numerous political guests. On the German side, State Secretary Thomas Jarzombek, Ambassador Stephan Steinlein, and Minister of European Affairs Eric Beißwenger were among those who learned about the Tech Lab's projects. France was represented by Minister Benjamin Haddad, Alexandra Dublanche (Vice President of the Île-de-France region), and Minister of the Economy Eric Lombard, among others.

A particular highlight was the live discussion between DFKI CEO Prof. Antonio Krüger, in his role as Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board of the German AI Competence Centers, and Inria CEO Bruno Sportisse, spokesperson for the French AI clusters. The discussion focused on how close cooperation can help shape a sovereign European AI ecosystem – in a practical, strategic, and future-oriented way.

Interview on 11.06.25 at VivatechNews with Bruno Sportisse and Antonio Krüger about the current challenges and opportunities in the European AI landscape.

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Further information:

https://vivatechnology.com

Press contact:

Heike Leonhard, M.A.

Communications & Media, DFKI Saarbrücken

Andreas Schepers, M.A.

Communications & Media, DFKI Berlin