A study conducted by ODOXA for the Maison de l’Intelligence Artificielle highlights a unique relationship between the residents of Alpes-Maritimes and artificial intelligence. Perception, usage, and expectations paint the portrait of a region already engaged with these technologies, with a clear demand for support and regulation.
Artificial intelligence occupies a growing place in public debate. Today, Alpes-Maritimes stands out as a region where this evolution has already been widely integrated. A survey conducted by ODOXA in May 2025, at the request of the Maison de l’Intelligence Artificielle (MIA), provides precise quantitative insights. The study is based on a dual sample. 1,001 residents of Alpes-Maritimes were surveyed, as well as 1,005 people representative of the French population. The results show clear differences between the department and the national average.
In Alpes-Maritimes, artificial intelligence is perceived more as an opportunity than a threat. 49% of respondents in the department share this view, compared to 41% nationally. The feeling of being impressed by technological advances is also more pronounced. 79% of Maralpins state they are impressed by the progress of AI, compared to 70% of French people. The impact on daily life is deemed more tangible. 73% of residents in the 06 consider that AI already influences daily life, whereas this proportion drops to 62% nationwide.
The overall image of AI follows the same trend. 53% of Maralpins say they have a favorable image of it. The national average is 42%. These differences indicate a more confident relationship with these digital tools. This perception is set against a local context marked by several public and private initiatives.
The president of the Alpes-Maritimes department and president of the Maison de l’Intelligence Artificielle, Charles Ange Ginésy, analyzes these results in these terms: “The residents of Alpes-Maritimes stand out for their particularly positive perception of Artificial Intelligence. They declare themselves not only more impressed by its advances (79% compared to 70% nationally) but also more convinced of its concrete impact on their daily life (73% compared to 62%). Furthermore, more of them have a favorable image of it (53% compared to 42%).”
He also mentions the connection with local public policies. “These results clearly demonstrate the relevance and effectiveness of the SMART Deal policy led for several years on the Maralpin territory: an ambitious strategy that places AI at the service of everyone and makes it a real lever of local innovation.”
Usage Already Integrated into Daily Life
Beyond perceptions, usage is well established. 84% of the inhabitants of Alpes-Maritimes declare that they use at least one tool based on artificial intelligence. Navigation, automatic translation, recommendation systems, or voice assistants are among the examples cited. Daily use involves 17% of respondents. This rate is more than twice the national average, which stands at 8%.
The world of work is also concerned. 47% of the department’s working population use AI tools in a professional setting, compared to 41% in France. Among these users, 18% use them daily. These figures confirm a gradual diffusion of these technologies in professional practices.
The perception of the territory follows the same logic. 54% of Maralpins believe the department is ahead in terms of artificial intelligence. Nationally, this opinion is shared by 30% of respondents. Several mechanisms are identified by the residents as drivers of this dynamic. The SMART Deal 06, the World AI Cannes Festival, and the Maison de l’Intelligence Artificielle are cited by 27%, 27%, and 25% of respondents respectively.
This adoption does not mean the absence of vigilance. The survey highlights strong expectations for support. 64% of Maralpins wish to be more informed about the uses of artificial intelligence. The question of regulation appears central. 81% of respondents judge it legitimate for the European Union to oversee the development of AI through the AI Act. This regulatory framework is seen as a lever of competitiveness by 67% of respondents.
These data reflect a balance sought between innovation and common rules. The local political discourse emphasizes this dimension. “My ambition is to offer the Maralpins a vision of AI that is both avant-garde, responsible, and balanced, and to make Alpes-Maritimes a fully connected territory, capable of anticipating tomorrow’s uses while remaining attentive to everyone’s needs,” specifies Charles Ange Ginésy.
The Maison de l’Intelligence Artificielle as a Central Tool
Created by the Conseil départemental des Alpes-Maritimes under the SMART Deal program, the Maison de l’Intelligence Artificielle is in line with this logic. The project involves several partners, including the Agglomeration Community of Sophia Antipolis, the Nice Côte d’Azur Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Université Côte d’Azur. The venue is dedicated to raising awareness and disseminating knowledge related to artificial intelligence.
The actions undertaken target various audiences. School pupils, professionals, and the general public are concerned. Educational resources, demonstrators, and events punctuate the activity. Since its creation, nearly 115,000 people have been educated. This figure is divided among 35,000 students, 25,000 professionals, and 55,000 people from the general public.
The ODOXA survey thus confirms a dynamic already underway in Alpes-Maritimes. Expectations now focus on the understanding, regulation, and controlled dissemination of these technologies.
