The School and Scalian Launch the "AI & Data for Industrial Engineering Research" Chair
A research chair between École nationale des ponts et chaussées and Scalian to accelerate innovation in artificial intelligence and data for industrial engineering
The École nationale des ponts et chaussées and Scalian announce the creation of the “AI & Data for Industrial Engineering” five-year joint research chair. This strategic partnership aims to advance cutting-edge technological research at the intersection of artificial intelligence, data science, and industrial engineering. The official signing ceremony for this chair took place on Monday, April 20, at the School’s premises, in the presence of William Rozé, Chairman of the Scalian Group, and Anthony Briant, Director of the School.
Led by the “Data Science for Complex Systems” team at the Co-Innovation Lab and the Department of Industrial Engineering at ENPC, in close collaboration with teams from Scalian, this chair is part of a high-impact technological research initiative. Under the scientific leadership of Mohamed Saâd El Harrab, an associate professor at the School, it aims to develop innovative operational solutions to address a range of engineering and industrial operations performance challenges, drawing on data science, algorithms, and artificial intelligence systems.
The chair’s program will focus on academic and applied research, including the supervision of engineering internships, doctoral dissertations, and postdoctoral research. It will draw on the scientific expertise of the School’s teams, in close collaboration with experts from Scalian, to promote knowledge transfer and the development of innovative solutions that can be directly applied in industrial settings.
The chair will be governed by a steering committee comprising representatives from both partners, ensuring that the research aligns with scientific and industrial priorities. For Scalian, the committee will consist of Nicolas Viala, COO of Scalian France, and Jean-Pierre Dupé, Managing Director of Scalian Consulting; and for the School, it will consist of Emmanuel Girard, Deputy Director of Research, and Fabien Liéval, Director of the Co-Innovation Lab.
A structured collaboration to address today's industrial challenges
The collaborative program is grounded in a rigorous scientific approach, bridging traditional engineering methods with recent advancements in artificial intelligence and data science. It aims to address complex industrial challenges, particularly in the areas of systems modeling, process optimization, automation, uncertainty management, and consideration of the human factor, within the context of environmental and energy transitions.
The chair’s work will focus on projects jointly defined by the partners and overseen by a dedicated committee. These projects will result in tangible outcomes, such as prototypes, demonstrators, or decision-support tools.
An initial flagship project has already been launched, focusing on AI-assisted document engineering for industrial applications.
“This chair demonstrates the École nationale des ponts et chaussées’ commitment to strengthening its partnerships with leading industry players in order to conduct high-impact research and actively contribute to ongoing technological transformations, particularly in the field of artificial intelligence applied to engineering,” said Anthony Briant, the school’s director.
“Through this partnership, Scalian aims to leverage the academic excellence of the École nationale des ponts et chaussées to address complex scientific and technical challenges and accelerate the development of innovative solutions that enhance its clients’ industrial performance,” said William Rozé, Chairman of the Scalian Group.