Hi! PARIS at the Forefront of AI Action Week for Science and Society
As governments, researchers, and industry leaders gathered in Paris to confront the challenges and opportunities of artificial intelligence, Hi! PARIS brought its expertise to key discussions on AI and its impact on science, business & society. Across the Week for Action on AI, the consortium led by HEC Paris, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, Inria, CNRS and Université de Technologie de Troyes helped steer the conversation on how AI can drive scientific progress, support the public good, and impact global economies.
A Stage for Science at the AI Action Summit
On February 6-7, Hi! PARIS Cluster 2030 supported the organization of the Scientific Days at the AI Action Summit, bringing together leading researchers and experts to discuss AI’s role in taking forward global challenges.
Topics such as AI’s impact on climate, health, inequality, and the future of work were discussed during the conference. With a rich program, the 2-days featured 94 speakers across 12 plenary sessions, 9 keynote speeches, 7 specialized symposiums, and 9 roundtables. More than 3,800 participants attended the discussions and presentations, including researchers, educators, students, businesses, entrepreneurs, and numerous national and international institutions and organizations such as the UN, the OECD, and the National Commission for AI.
Thierry Coulhon (Institut Polytechnique de Paris), Anne Bouverot (President’s Special Envoy for the #AI Action Summit), Laura Chaubard (École polytechnique), Michael Jordan (Member of the Scientific Advisory Board, Hi! PARIS), and Eric Moulines (Scientific Co-director, Hi! PARIS).
Our research affiliates took part in the discussions during the Scientific Days sharing their expertise across key topics such as generative AI, machine learning theory, trustworthy AI, and sustainable AI development. Vicky Kalogeiton, Professor at École polytechnique, spoke at the “Frontiers in Generative AI” symposium, presenting her work on multimodal generative models that create video content from text and audio inputs, with applications in media production and medical imaging. Vianney Perchet, also Professor at École polytechnique, contributed to the “Mathematics of Machine Learning” symposium, highlighting new mathematical tools to improve the reliability and efficiency of machine learning models. Aymeric Dieuleveut, Professor at École Polytechnique, participated in the “Road to Trustworthy AI” symposium, focusing on fairness and privacy in AI systems, two critical issues as machine learning becomes increasingly embedded in fields like finance and healthcare. Thomas Le Goff, Associate Professor at Télécom Paris, joined the “AI for a Sustainable Future” symposium, addressing the environmental impact of AI and exploring solutions for developing energy-efficient algorithms and sustainable computing infrastructures.
Replay the sessions:
- Day 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLDUYm_46n0
- Day 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiEiIhOArwI
HEC Paris professors and Hi! PARIS affiliates have shared their research on how artificial intelligence is changing society and businesses. Their work aligns with the main themes discussed at the AI Action Summit. It looks at how AI is impacting key areas such as public services, the future of work, creative industries, misinformation, and trust. The research also highlights the need for strong governance, ethical considerations, and adaptation as AI continues to shape different sectors.
Women & Girls in Science Day: What’s Next for Gender Equality in STEM?
The event celebrated the 10th anniversary of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science (UNESCO), emphasizing the need for greater gender equality in STEM fields. Despite progress, women remain underrepresented, making up only 22% of STEM jobs in G20 countries.
The discussion highlighted the importance of addressing biases from a young age, encouraging girls to pursue scientific careers, and the role of representation and role models. Various initiatives, including a global campaign urging participation and support for women in science, were introduced to inspire young girls and dismantle stereotypes. The panelists shared personal experiences and insights on fostering a welcoming environment in STEM and the necessity of engaging both girls and boys in these conversations to promote inclusivity and diversity.
From left to right: Anne-Laure Sellier (HEC Paris), Ariane Thomas (L’Oréal), Maud Tournoud (Schneider Electric), Karine Vasselin (Capgemini), Elisabeth Richard (Femmes@Numérique), Charlotte Laclau (Télécom Paris), Lidia Brito (UNESCO).
The roundtable concluded with a clear message: change requires collective action. Governments, schools, companies, families, and individuals all play a role. From early childhood to the workplace, we must:
- Encourage girls to explore STEM through play and creativity.
- Train teachers to recognize and address gender biases.
- Showcase diverse STEM careers that align with girls’ desire to make an impact.
- Provide mentorship and peer support networks.
- Ensure that STEM environments, classrooms, labs, and offices are safe, inclusive, and welcoming.
Looking Ahead with Hi! PARIS Cluster 2030
The week also marked the next step for Hi! PARIS Cluster 2030, a project aimed at positioning the center as a global leader in AI and data science research. Bringing together over 300 professors and researchers from HEC Paris and Institut Polytechnique de Paris, Cluster 2030 will support advanced research and strengthen collaborations with businesses and public institutions.
Through its involvement in the AI Action Summit, Hi! PARIS continues to advance research and contribute to the major conversations on AI’s future from ensuring AI serves the public good to rethinking work, fostering innovation, and developing trusted systems.