As artificial intelligence (AI) and digital applications explode in growth, data centers are becoming critical infrastructure at the heart of economic, environmental, and sovereignty issues. In France, this trend is accelerating with government support.

This roundtable aims to unpack the realities behind the hype: industrial opportunities, energy constraints, technological dependencies, and political trade-offs. A discussion aimed at moving beyond marketing rhetoric to examine truly sustainable models.

● The rise of AI: What are the real impacts on infrastructure demand and energy consumption?
● Colocation vs. hyperscale: business models, dependence on cloud giants, and the room for maneuver available to French players.
● Regional deployment: local tensions, social acceptability, and competition for access to electricity and land.
● Digital sovereignty: myth or credible strategy?
● Environment and regulation: energy efficiency, heat recovery, and the limits of “green” commitments.