On the October 15, Valérie Pécresse, President of Paris Region, unveiled its regional artificial intelligence plan “AI 2021” and launched 15 measures aimed at consolidating Paris Region's dominant position in the field of artificial intelligence. 

Paris Region has more than 500 companies and research institutes in the artificial intelligence field; its research expenditure accounts for 40% of that in France. Together with its partners, the Paris Region government has developed an action plan and launched 15 guidance measures, the following relates to small and medium-sized enterprises and entrepreneurship:

•  Facilitation of Business for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in Paris Region

To help SMEs remove the barriers they face when acquiring artificial intelligence technology, Paris Region launches a comprehensive and personalized support program--Pack IA. It will include personalized recommendations to provide viable solutions. The goal is to help 100 companies a year.

• Encourage Small and Medium-sized Enterprises and Startups to Conduct Artificial Intelligence Research
  

To facilitate the use of artificial intelligence technology among SMEs and encourage more deep tech start-ups, Paris Region launched the InriaTech initiative, a technology transfer cooperation platform designed to better apply the cutting-edge technology of INRIA (National Institute of Information and Automation, France). Researchers in the field of artificial intelligence will also benefit from the launch of a new PhD award scheme in 2019, with bonuses of 4 million Euros to encourage companies to recruit PhDs.