VivaTech, Europe’s largest tech and startup fair, opened its doors in Paris, bringing together over 165,000 visitors and nearly 14,000 startups. This year, the spotlight is on how artificial intelligence (AI) and technology are transforming health care — especially mental health. From AI mood-tracking apps to neuroscience-inspired fragrances, VivaTech showcases innovations designed to enhance emotional well-being in real life.
What’s Happening & Why This Matters
At the Porte de Versailles exhibition center, VivaTech 2025 kicks off as the ninth edition of this premier event. It gathers a global crowd of entrepreneurs and tech leaders from over 50 countries. AI takes center stage, reflecting its rapid rise from science fiction to practical tools affecting business, democracy, and daily life.
François Bitouzet, Director General of VivaTech, says, “Artificial intelligence is moving from science fiction to real-life application. Visitors will discover with more than 13,000 startups what AI means for business and society.” He also highlights the geopolitical tensions shaping AI’s role as Europe asserts itself in the global tech race.
Among the many impressive exhibits, innovations in mental health attract keen attention. The fair shines a light on technologies that address deeply human challenges.
One standout is Emobot, a French startup using AI to track mood disorders through facial expressions and voice analysis. Co-founder and CTO Antony Perzo explains how Emobot works: “Our app runs on phones and computers, analysing facial expressions every second while users interact with their devices.” The AI combines this data with voice cues to remotely monitor symptoms of depression.
Doctors receive a comprehensive dashboard that shows the evolution of mood disorders over time. Perzo calls it “a thermometer for mental health,” offering visibility into psychiatric conditions where traditional imaging tools don’t apply.
Another unique startup, AMOI, combines neuroscience with fragrance to quickly influence emotions. Founder Pascale Fontaine claims their neuro-fragrances deliver effects like focus, calm, or energy within five minutes. This approach offers a fun, accessible tool for the one in four people reporting mental health struggles.
These examples demonstrate how AI and tech innovation are becoming vital allies in mental health care, enhancing diagnosis, monitoring, and emotional support.
TF Summary: What’s Next
VivaTech 2025 spotlights the powerful intersection of technology and mental health, revealing AI-driven solutions that could change how we understand and treat mood disorders. Innovations like Emobot’s facial expression tracking and AMOI’s neuro-fragrances promise new ways to support emotional well-being.
As mental health challenges extend globally, tech fairs like VivaTech become increasingly important platforms for showcasing solutions that blend science, empathy, and creativity. AI’s continued integration with healthcare presents a future where technology plays a pivotal role in personal well-being and medical practice.
— Text-to-Speech (TTS) provided by gspeech