A quantum and AI hackathon for defence, at the Grand Palais in December
The French Defence Innovation Agency and Artefact bring engineering students together on 2 to 4 December 2026, with teams selected in October and November.
The Defence Innovation Agency (AID) and Artefact organise a Quantum Defence Hackathon from 2 to 4 December 2026 at the Grand Palais in Paris, during the Adopt AI Summit. Engineering students work in teams of four to eight on quantum computing and artificial intelligence applications for defence.
Why it matters
Defence is one of the sectors where quantum use cases are actively sought, and a hackathon run by the ministry's own innovation agency shows which problems it wants solved. It is also a way into the field for students.
Key takeaways
- Hackathon from 2 to 4 December 2026 at the Grand Palais, 10 avenue des Champs-Élysées, Paris, within the Adopt AI Summit; awards ceremony at the end.
- Organised by the Defence Innovation Agency (AID) and Artefact; Thales is announced as a sponsor.
- Aimed at engineering students, in teams of four to eight; more than 100 participants and over ten teams expected; focus on quantum computing and AI applications for defence.
- Timeline: call for ideas launched on 16 June 2026 at France Quantum, team selection and preparatory work with mentors in October and November, then the three-day event.
The Quantum Defence Hackathon takes place from 2 to 4 December 2026 at the Grand Palais in Paris, as part of the Adopt AI Summit. It is organised by the Defence Innovation Agency (AID), the innovation arm of the French armed forces ministry, together with Artefact.
The format is a three-day immersive challenge for engineering students, in teams of four to eight people, on quantum computing and artificial intelligence applications for defence. The organisers expect more than a hundred participants and over ten teams. The call for ideas was launched on 16 June 2026 at France Quantum; teams are selected and prepared with mentors in October and November, and the hackathon closes with an awards ceremony.
The event was relayed on LinkedIn by Frédéric Barbaresco, who notes that Thales sponsors it and that it was presented by Xavier Grison of the Defence Innovation Agency.
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