A few months before its new Paris edition, VivaTech unveils the results of its 2026 Barometer. The study highlights an increasingly marked paradox in companies: never has confidence in technology and artificial intelligence been so high, but never have concerns related to digital sovereignty and data security been so present.
Summary
A high level of trust in technology and artificial intelligence
According to the results of the VivaTech 2026 barometer, conducted in partnership with OpinionWay and reported by the specialized press, the average level of confidence among executives in technology has reached 89 out of 100, compared to 87 last year. The study was carried out between November and December 2025 among 1,524 executives in seven countries in Europe and the United States.
Technology is now seen as a key driver of competitiveness. Nearly 88% of decision-makers surveyed believe they better understand the strategic role of technology in their company's performance than they did a year ago. Artificial intelligence is emerging as one of the drivers of this confidence: 89% of executives consider it reliable for supporting certain decision-making processes.
Contrary to fears often expressed in public debate, AI is not perceived as an immediate threat to employment. 92% of executives say they are confident in their ability to maintain staffing levels over the next twelve months. Only 17% fear the emergence of a speculative bubble around AI, a figure that is, however, higher in France, where it reaches 30%.
Practices that are ahead of precautions
Behind this optimism, however, the barometer reveals more ambiguous practices. Nearly 39% of executives admit to having already shared sensitive data with artificial intelligence tools without having a level of trust they deemed sufficient. This indicator highlights the persistent gap between the speed of technology adoption and the maturity of data governance policies.
Digital sovereignty, a major point of contention
The issue of sovereignty emerges as a major concern. 63% of the executives surveyed expressed worry about the loss of sovereignty associated with technological advancements. In this context, 92% stated that, given equivalent choices, they would prefer a technology supplier of their own nationality, and 47% considered this criterion essential.
The study highlights a marked geographical divide. In the United States and the United Kingdom, national preference is particularly strong, with 57% of executives considering it a decisive factor. In continental Europe, and especially within the European Union, the supplier's nationality is more often seen as an advantage than a requirement.
This perception is reflected in the view of national competitiveness. 87% of executives believe that their country's companies are internationally competitive in technological matters. This figure rises to 92% in the United States, while France has seen a notable increase to 81%, up 12 points since 2024.
Cybersecurity and AI at the heart of investment priorities
Investment intentions confirm this trend. Cybersecurity has emerged as the number one priority, with 82% of executives indicating they have already allocated budgets to it. Artificial intelligence follows closely behind, at 76%, ahead of 5G, cloud computing, and the Internet of Things.
Over the next twelve months, 87% of executives plan to increase their spending on artificial intelligence, with more than half planning significant increases. Cybersecurity also remains a key focus, with 77% of companies anticipating increased investment. Robotic process automation and quantum computing are emerging as strategic areas, supporting advanced AI applications.
A clear signal for sectors exposed to data
For sectors heavily reliant on data, such as tourism, the barometer sends a clear message. Digital transformation continues at a rapid pace, but it is now accompanied by increased demands for security, sovereignty, and trust in the tools used.
As artificial intelligence becomes an operational standard, companies must deal with a more complex equation: innovating quickly, while controlling their technological dependencies and digital risks.
Sources
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