Meet-up: between data and humans, where does artificial intelligence go?

A meet-up about artificial intelligence (AI) in the industry took place on Wednesday 13th  of June at STATION F in Paris, the biggest start-up campus in the world. This event was organized by the start-up DCbrain, InnoEnergy, Orano and Microsoft to gather different profiles of actors in AI and highlight current issues linked to the integration of AI in the industry. It welcomed over 110 participants, mainly data scientists, CEOs, investors and engineers of large industrial groups.

Francis Jutand, Deputy General Director of the Institut des Mines-Télécom and leader of the “Men and Industry of the Future” group at Alliance pour l’industrie du futur, introduced the session. He explained what AI is, what is currently at stake in this sector and detailed the issues in the short and long term of artificial intelligence in the industry. The main limit of AI is the fear of humans to be left behind, replaced or even directed by such technologies.

We were then presented two user cases of start-ups to understand concretely how the AI can be used to solve industrial issues.

The first testimonial was from DCbrain, that optimizes flow network using very advanced modelling for networks such as gaz or transport. In industry these technologies allow to drastically reduce cost, that is why DCbrain works in partnership with Orano.

The second start-ups to be introduced was Scortex, that makes quality control smart and automated. To do so they capture a lot of data composed of images to compare them with model elements, mainly on plastic or metal pieces. This method can be used for instance in the automobile industry to check more material faster, even if the human intervention can be still needed.

The third part welcomed Nathana?l Ackerman, founder and president of Hub France IA who introduced the role of the Hub as well as the specificities of the context in the promotion of artificial intelligence in France.

A round table took place to discuss collaboration between start-ups and large companies for the integration of AI in the industry:

• Etienne Gehain, Digital Innovation Officer of Engie,
• Jean-Reynald Macé, Expert Fellow at Orano,
• Eneric Lopez, Director in charge of the Start-up program at Microsoft
• Chloe Cantelli, Business Manager in Agoranov

They concluded that the human aspect is essential for a sustainable collaboration that cannot exist without trust.

The event ended with a conclusion by Arnaud De Moissac, CEO of DCbrain, and a networking cocktail.