10/16/2020
HEC Paris and Institut Polytechnique de Paris have announced the launch of “Hi! PARIS”. Focusing on artificial intelligence (AI) and data science, the research and education center aims to become a world leader in these fields within five years, while addressing the main challenges related to technological transformation and its impact on businesses and society.
Hi! PARIS is entirely funded through sponsorships from participating companies, including L’Oréal, Capgemini, Total, Kering and Rexel.
The center will have a powerful impact on AI and data research and training at the European and global levels. As companies and laboratories work to develop digital sovereignty for France and Europe, these resources have now become essential.
AI and Data, Driving Corporate Innovation
For the five founding sponsors – Total, L’Oréal, Capgemini, Kering and Rexel – this commitment will help foster the emergence of new technological tools to improve businesses’ operational efficiency and support their long-term strategy.
“Data science and artificial intelligence have made great progress in recent years, opening up new avenues to better leverage industrial data and provide tailored services to our customers. For a broad energy group like Total, the only way to remain competitive in these complex fields is to innovate. Innovation is not only a question of technological sovereignty, but also an essential means of achieving our ambition to get to net-zero emissions by 2050,” said Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Group.
A Unique Space in a Model Ecosystem
Hi! PARIS, launched on September 15, is the first interdisciplinary and interinstitutional center in Europe dedicated to AI and data science. By combining education, research and innovation, Hi! PARIS aims to become a world leader in these fields within five years, addressing the main challenges related to technological transformation and its impact on businesses and society. This ambition and organization, along with the center’s location in the heart of the Saclay area, was what motivated Total’s commitment, as Patrick Pouyanné explained:
“I am delighted that this center is located in the heart of Saclay, one of the world’s largest science hubs, where Total has already decided to set up its new innovation and research center for low-carbon energy.”
Watch video interviews with the five CEOs of the partner companies, including Patrick Pouyanné