Bordeaux is preparing to take a decisive step in the field of artificial intelligence by investing €3 billion in the ambitious BXIA project. This project aims to transform part of the former parking lot at the Bordeaux-Lac Exhibition Center into a vast digital hub, housing data centers where strategic French companies will process secure data and train their AI systems. With financial support from Osae Partners, this supercampus marks a significant step towards French and European digital sovereignty, while promising the creation of thousands of jobs and adopting eco-responsible practices. Bordeaux is resolutely committed to the race for technological innovation by investing €3 billion to establish a digital hub focused on artificial intelligence. The BXIA project plans the creation of secure and environmentally friendly data centers on the former Bordeaux-Lac parking lot, thus affirming European digital sovereignty. With a focus on the environment and employment, this project is expected to generate thousands of jobs while introducing new standards for sustainable data centers. The Rise of an Ambitious Digital City On the site of the former parking lot of the Bordeaux-Lac Exhibition Center, an ambitious project is taking shape. Named BXIA, this digital hub aims to be a beacon for artificial intelligence in France. The goal is to create a robust infrastructure that will host data centers where strategic French companies can consolidate and secure their data while training their AI applications. This significant digital shift, supported by a €3 billion investment from Osae Partners, is part of a vision of digital sovereignty that is essential for France and Europe. An Answer to the Challenge of Digital SovereigntyThe ambitious BXIA project addresses a critical need: keeping data within Europe. Currently, approximately 92% of data is stored outside the continent, primarily in the United States. According to Benjamin Delaux, president of Nouvelles Fonctions Urbaines (New Urban Functions), this control over data is essential in an unstable geopolitical context where digital autonomy is becoming a necessity. The Eco-Responsible Approach Beyond its technological ambition, the BXIA project stands out for its deep commitment to environmental sustainability. The complex will be built on existing developed land and will benefit from its proximity to the tramway to reduce the environmental impact of travel. The ingeniously designed data center cooling system relies on a closed-loop water circuit, while the generated waste heat will be reused to heat neighboring homes. These initiatives aim to position BXIA as a model of sustainable development. Impact on the local economy and employment From an economic standpoint, the BXIA project promises to be a driving force for the Bordeaux region. The Green mayor of Bordeaux, Pierre Hurmic, sees this project as a major opportunity to stimulate the local economy. The construction of the campus is expected to create 2,000 temporary jobs and guarantee 600 permanent positions. This campus will transform Bordeaux into an epicenter of innovation and opportunity in the AI sector.
