A unique opportunity for micro-enterprises and SMEs

Among the many accredited side events, the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) is organising a must-attend meeting on 11 February 2025. Despite their overwhelming economic weight – accounting for 99 per cent of Paris’s economic fabric – only 3 per cent of micro-enterprises, SMEs and retailers regularly use generative AI. This event therefore aims to reverse this trend by presenting concrete solutions and opportunities to be seized.

As Soumia Malinbaum, President of the Paris CCI, emphasises: ‘The aim is to turn artificial intelligence into a true partner...’ By making the most of its potential, entrepreneurs can free themselves from repetitive and time-consuming tasks to focus on high-value-added activities and devote more time to strategy.

A unique opportunity for micro-enterprises and SMEs

aivancity School of AI & Data for Business & Society will present its barometer of responsible artificial intelligence (AI) practices at the event. The study, conducted amongst 400 executives from French SMEs (20 to 500 employees), representing 65 per cent of jobs in France, reveals the perceptions, needs and challenges associated with the development and implementation of AI in French businesses.

The main aim of this survey is to identify attitudes of support or apprehension regarding the development of artificial intelligence within businesses and society, to identify the stakeholders affected by these developments, to understand the skills requirements and expectations needed to support this transformation, and to gauge the level of maturity among the various stakeholders with regard to the responsible development of AI.

Key findings of the study

Definition of AI

• Only 25 per cent of respondents associate AI with the simulation of human intelligence. The majority refer to the automation of tasks or to specific applications such as prediction and optimisation.

Low rate of AI deployment

• Despite a slight increase since 2021, only 15 per cent of the SMEs surveyed have deployed AI solutions. This figure remains low compared with deployment rates in other countries, such as India (59 per cent) or Singapore (53 per cent).

Diversity of applications

• The use of AI spans around ten sectors, with manufacturing taking the top spot. However, the potential uses remain unclear to a large proportion of business leaders.

Ethics and AI

• 31 per cent of the executives surveyed regard the ethical issues surrounding AI as a priority, particularly privacy, which was cited by 42 per cent of respondents.

Impact on performance

• 64 per cent of executives view AI as a driver of performance, compared with 41 per cent in 2021. The emergence of generative AI has played a key role in this shift in perception.

Tawhid Chtioui, President and Dean of aivancity, states: “ It is crucial to continue raising awareness among SME leaders about the benefits and risks of AI to ensure ethical and responsible technological development, whilst enabling their businesses to remain competitive on an international scale.”

By making AI accessible to micro-enterprises and SMEs, the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI Paris) and aivancity are reaffirming their commitment to making AI a driver of inclusive and sustainable growth.