VivaTech: SCAI Kicks Off the Event with an Exceptional Evening Dedicated to AI

On the eve of the official opening of VivaTech, SCAI gathered researchers and socio-economic partners on the Pierre and Marie Curie campus. The goal: to launch the AI festivities and reaffirm Sorbonne University's central role in this ecosystem.

It is now official: VivaTech has launched. Staying true to its drive for innovation, Sorbonne University chose to mark the start of this strategic period during an exclusive evening entirely dedicated to AI.

To orchestrate this launch, SCAI took the lead by organizing its traditional "Warm Up." Designed as a pre-exhibition side-event, this key gathering connected the sector's driving forces: scientists, experts, and industrial partners working hand-in-hand in the field of AI.

Celebration, an Exclusive Keynote, and Governance: Three Major Highlights

The event, spearheaded by SCAI, was marked by several pivotal moments for the future of artificial intelligence within the alliance:

• The Second Anniversary of PostGenAI@Paris: This was the perfect opportunity to celebrate the second anniversary of this strategic cluster, born within SCAI under the leadership of Gérard Biau and Xavier Fresquet. Its ambition remains clear: to position France as a global leader in AI by 2030.

• A High-Level Keynote by Google DeepMind: Albert Cohen, Research Scientist at Google DeepMind, took the stage to share his expertise. He highlighted the successes, feedback, and technical challenges encountered when applying AI to the design and optimization of Google's infrastructure.

• A New Leadership for SCAI: The evening also hosted a major institutional moment with the official passing of the torch between Gérard Biau and Paola Cinnella, who now takes over as the Director of SCAI.

AI at the Service of Society: A Deep-Dive Discussion

Beyond the celebrations, this evening organized by the cluster opened a space for profound reflection on the societal impact of AI. The discussions were introduced by Andrea Pinna (Vice President for Socio-Economic Partnerships) and Arnaud Latil (Vice President for Artificial Intelligence, Strategy, and Foresight at Sorbonne University).

In a powerful speech, Arnaud Latil recalled the ethical and educational responsibilities that fall upon the academic world:

"AI offers tremendous opportunities to meet the major challenges of our time, but its development must be supported. Universities have a key role to play in enabling France and Europe to become global leaders in this field. On the other hand, it is our responsibility to make it an effective tool at the service of society, rather than in the hands of just a few."

He also insisted on the democratic urgency of training minds for these new technologies: "With its help, we must strengthen training in critical thinking and the explanation of the scientific approach for all citizens, not forgetting our public and private decision-makers."