This June I immersed myself in two of Europe’s most influential tech gatherings; London Tech Week and VivaTech Paris. Beyond the big product reveals and keynotes, both events offered a unique window into how AI, robotics and autonomous mobility are reshaping entire industries. Along the way I exchanged ideas with leaders from Rio Tinto, Aramco, and several forward-thinking drone and defense companies, gaining fresh perspectives on innovation at scale and where agile partners like DXspark can add value.
📍 London Tech Week 2025
AI as National Infrastructure
The dominant conversation in London revolved around sovereign AI. The UK unveiled a £1 billion investment plan for domestic AI compute, and Nvidia’s Jensen Huang urged Europe to build its own foundational infrastructure. The takeaway: AI is becoming a strategic public utility rather than a niche add-on.
Robotics in Real-World Settings
While London’s robotics presence was subtler than Paris’s, practical demos stood out. Companies such as Starship Technologies showcased autonomous delivery robots already operating in public spaces, while panels on “Robotics for Hazardous Environments” underlined the growing role of AI-controlled machines in mining and heavy industry.
Conversation with Rio Tinto
A highlight was an engaging discussion with Rio Tinto about their digital-transformation journey. They shared lessons from deploying automation in remote operations and signaled an openness to explore future collaboration with nimble tech partners especially around AI-driven R&D pilots that improve safety and sustainability.
📍 VivaTech Paris 2025
Tesla’s Cybercab Steals the Show
VivaTech’s headline moment was Tesla’s live reveal of the Cybercab a fully autonomous, two-seat robotaxi with no steering wheel or pedals, butterfly doors and inductive charging. With a sub-$30.000 target price and production slated for 2026, the vehicle hints at a fast-approaching era of driverless urban mobility.
AI & Robotics in Full Color
VivaTech’s AI Avenue buzzed with energy: more than 40 % of exhibitors were showcasing AI-first solutions, and over 30 robotics companies demonstrated everything from warehouse automatons to social companion bots. A standout was Artefact’s “Rob’Art,” which used generative AI to create live, original illustrations, proof that creativity and engineering are converging rapidly.
Exchange with Aramco
I met with representatives from Aramco, who described how they foster open-innovation ecosystems to accelerate the energy transition. Our conversation centered on emerging AI, analytics and sustainability solutions, and how external partners can plug into their R&D pipeline to rapidly prototype new concepts.
Drone & Defense Tech Spotlight
- Wingcopter presented its latest long-range eVTOL drone designed for urgent logistics and medical delivery, underscoring how AI is pushing autonomy into the skies.
- Airbus Defence & Space showcased satellite-enabled surveillance platforms and autonomous systems for secure urban operations, highlighting expanding collaboration opportunities in dual-use technologies.
🔍 Strategic Themes & Opportunities for DXspark
Theme: DXspark supporting Startups to digitize and accelerate to a Scale up by implementing relevant technologies. Such as AI, Mobile Applications, and infotainment systems.
Theme: AI Infrastructure
Opportunity: Capitalize on Europe’s sovereign-AI momentum through Dxspark’s digital-experience (DX) services.
Theme: Corporate Innovation Projects
Opportunity: Shape mid-sized R&D pilots with Rio Tinto (mining) and Aramco (energy) as they explore new digital solutions.
Theme: Robotics Integration
Opportunity: Expand into intelligent robotics covering logistics, healthcare and public-service applications.
Theme: Future Mobility
Opportunity: Leverage Tesla’s Cybercab roadmap by designing urban-mobility service layers that integrate seamlessly with autonomous fleets.
Theme: Aerial & Defense Intelligence
Opportunity: Co-develop AI-powered drone platforms (e.g., Wingcopter) and defense-grade solutions (Airbus Defence & Space) for secure, data-driven operations.
💡 Final Reflection
From London’s policy-driven push for AI sovereignty to Paris’s hands-on robotics and mobility showcases, one thread connects both events.
The conversations sparked this month are only the beginning. Now’s the time to turn shared ideas into pilot projects and ultimately, into real-world impact.