France Bids €625M for Atos's AI and Supercomputing Assets

The French government has made a renewed offer to acquire Atos SE’s advanced computing assets for up to €625 million ($653 million), following the expiration of a previous proposal. This non-binding bid values the assets at €500 million, with potential additional payments tied to future earnings. The deal includes Atos’s artificial intelligence division and supercomputers, which serve key sectors such as research, nuclear power, and defence.

Atos, once a flagship of French technology, is divesting critical assets to reduce its significant debt burden and stabilise operations. Creditors are set to assume control of the company by January, converting €2.9 billion in loans and bonds into equity and new financing. This restructuring marks a pivotal step as Atos works to unlock value from its divisions, streamline its business, and position itself for recovery.

The advanced computing assets are part of Atos’s Big Data & Security (BDS) unit, a strategically vital component for France’s national interests. The French finance ministry has underscored that any potential buyers of the remaining BDS segments, including mission-critical systems and cybersecurity operations, will require government approval to ensure sensitive assets remain under domestic oversight.

In addition to the state’s renewed bid, Atos has agreed to sell its Worldgrid unit to French engineering firm Alten SA for €270 million, including debt. Meanwhile, previous discussions with Thales SA and Airbus SE to acquire parts of the BDS unit fell through earlier this year, as did negotiations to sell its legacy IT services business to Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky.

Philippe Salle, Atos’s incoming CEO and its seventh in three years, will assume leadership in February to oversee the sales processes and steer the company toward renewed growth. For France, the acquisition represents a broader effort to safeguard key industries while supporting Atos’s restructuring journey.