On March 17, the IA Grand Est ENACT Cluster organized the AI & Innovation Meetings, two simultaneous events in Nancy and Strasbourg that brought together around 230 participants – including researchers, entrepreneurs, engineers, students, and public sector representatives. This double event proved to be a major unifying moment for the regional artificial intelligence ecosystem and a valuable opportunity to strengthen ties between academia and socio-economic actors in the region.
Promoting Dialogue Between Research and Businesses
Throughout the afternoon and evening, participants had the chance to explore the cluster’s service offerings, engage with AI experts, and attend several presentations and experience-sharing sessions.
In Strasbourg, the event also offered visits to research and innovation platforms, followed by a roundtable discussing the various forms of collaboration possible between laboratories and companies. These exchanges highlighted the diversity of available mechanisms to turn an industrial idea or need into a concrete research or innovation project.
Discovering Resources and Experience-Sharing
Speakers also enabled participants to discover the resources available within the regional ecosystem, including the support offered by the European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH) alongside the cluster’s own programs.
In Nancy, several companies and innovation-focused organizations – notably Orange, marmelab, as well as representatives from MEDEF and La French Tech – shared their experience in integrating artificial intelligence into their activities.
In Strasbourg, participants explored AI training programs offered by the Continuing Education Service of the University of Strasbourg, the expertise and experimental resources of the GAIA platform at the ICube laboratory, dedicated to enhancing socio-economic data, as well as access modalities to research expertise via the Pôle universitaire d’innovation Alsace (Alsace University Innovation Hub).
A Collective Drive for Innovation
Beyond presentations and talks, these meetings primarily served to connect the actors of the regional ecosystem and foster new collaborative perspectives.
Informal discussions and networking sessions allowed participants to share experiences, identify common interests, and reflect collectively on shaping a dynamic regional AI ecosystem.
Keeping the Momentum Going
With these AI & Innovation Meetings, the IA Grand Est ENACT Cluster reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening bridges between public research and businesses, stimulating the emergence of collaborative projects, and supporting the adoption of responsible AI solutions.
Actors in the region who wish to explore collaboration opportunities, identify expertise, or initiate a project with academic research can reach out to the cluster’s innovation engineers, who will guide them toward the most appropriate resources and programs.
