The University of Paris-Saclay has taken a significant new step in its ambition to become a leading force in artificial intelligence (AI). This move involves launching its new DataIA-Cluster, a hub officially recognized and funded as part of France’s 2030 investment plan. This initiative aims to position the university at the forefront of AI research, innovation, and education on both national and international levels.
Building on its existing strengths, the DataIA-Cluster is rooted in the Institute DataIA, a research organization established in 2017 dedicated to advancing artificial intelligence and data science. The institute currently unites more than 800 researchers working across 47 laboratories. Its core mission is to foster cutting-edge, interdisciplinary research in AI and data science, with a strong emphasis on collaboration with the humanities and social sciences. This integrated approach aims to ensure that technological advances are aligned with societal and ethical considerations.
Since 2021, the DataIA Institute has shifted its strategic focus towards developing the AI landscape at Paris-Saclay University. Its efforts are geared toward energizing research initiatives, embedding AI modules throughout the university’s academic programs, and strengthening partnerships between academia and industry. The institute actively supports research projects, promotes researcher exchanges and mobility, and organizes scientific events to nurture and unify the local AI community.
Beyond research and innovation, DataIA also plays a key role in workforce development related to AI careers. One of its flagship initiatives is the SaclAI-School project, launched in 2022. This comprehensive training program spans various levels of higher education, from bachelor’s to doctoral degrees at universities, and master’s level in partnered grandes écoles. The project offers scholarships and tutoring platforms to support both initial training for students and ongoing professional development for established practitioners, ensuring a steady pipeline of skilled AI professionals.
The newly created DataIA-Cluster brings together a consortium of fourteen higher education institutions and research organizations. Included in this alliance are external training providers like CentraleSupélec Exed, as well as the Jacques Hadamard Foundation for Mathematics (FMJH) and Gustave Roussy, a renowned cancer research and treatment center. This diverse network reflects the interdisciplinary and collaborative vision of the cluster.
The main objectives guiding the development of the DataIA-Cluster are fourfold: First, to establish France as a global leader in artificial intelligence by creating an internationally recognized, interdisciplinary hub capable of addressing major economic and societal challenges—such as ethics, ecology, and sovereignty. Second, to accelerate societal transformation through AI by significantly increasing the number of students trained in this field. Third, to ensure a seamless connection between research, innovation, and education, fostering an ecosystem where discoveries directly translate into societal benefits. Lastly, to maintain flexibility and resilience in the face of rapid technological changes and the wide-ranging impacts of AI.
By pursuing these goals, the DataIA-Cluster not only aims to elevate France’s standing in the global AI arena but also to cultivate a sustainable, responsible, and socially beneficial AI ecosystem that adapts continuously to the fast-evolving technological landscape. This strategic initiative underscores the university’s commitment to harnessing AI’s transformative power for the benefit of society at large and aligns with France’s broader ambitions to become a global leader in digital innovation and responsible technology development.
