Operational efficiency and the generation of new revenue, as at Conforama, are not the only possible purposes of data valorization. The exploitation of a heritage of Data and AI technologies can also respond to societal challenges, and in particular environmental ones.
Ecological transformation is also at the heart of the TechSprint announced by Caisse des Dépôts. Through this approach, the institution intends to demonstrate “the contribution of data and market initiatives” in this area – of which it says it is already convinced.
High-impact data solutions to accelerate
The CDC announces its desire to participate in the acceleration of the country’s ecological transformation. And this requires concrete actions in four priority areas: real estate (energy performance and renovation), energy, transport (decarbonisation) and finance.
And responsible digital? Although deemed “important, it is outside the scope of this TechSprint.” This initiative aims first to design “data solutions” offering “a strong impact” and at the service of ecological transformation.
To carry out these projects, the Caisse plans to involve internally, by mobilizing group entities, but also to open up to “other actors, in an ecosystem approach.” The institution already claims the participation of more than 90 organizations in its TechSprint community.
Launched in February, this community has two objectives. The first is to “accelerate existing data solutions nationwide.” Then, multidisciplinary teams will work on designing new data solutions.
CSR, a growing theme in AI
Caisse des Dépôts, via its Techsprint, integrates requirements in terms of sovereignty of the Data & IA products developed. The operation will take place in 2023 in two phases. The first has already started. It is about mobilizing and sharing use cases. Then, from April to July, teams will develop use cases.
This approach is intended to be repeated. The Caisse is displaying its ambition to carry out sprints on a “multi-annual” basis, with a first edition devoted to the development of “innovative data services.”
Beyond this local initiative, corporate Data & IA projects are also being implemented, focusing on CSR issues. For a mining group such as Eramet, AI, for example via computer vision, aims to preserve and/or restore sites.
CSR is a priority in terms of use cases, along with improving operations. At Suez, AI and IoT are combined to analyze wastewater networks to detect anomalies.
Data For Good puts Data at the service of the general interest
AI and Data skills can also be federated for the benefit of non-profit organizations, including Data For Good. The community brings together “tech volunteers who use their skills to help solve social problems.”
The association has just launched its 11 season. Lasting 3 months, it aims to accelerate projects with social and environmental impact. This new edition has identified 12 of them.
Among these, “Hippocratic Oath of Generative AI”, which aims to warn about the dangers and excesses of generative AI. The Shift Project also welcomes volunteers to design the new version of the energy-climate data portal.