Rexel lends its support to HI! Paris, a partnership between HEC and Institut Polytechnique to establish a world-class French artificial intelligence and data science hub
On the 15th September 2020, Rexel and four other major French companies announced the launch of HI! Paris, an interdisciplinary research center of excellence in the fields of artificial intelligence and data science.
Hi! Paris, which is spearheaded by the prestigious French schools Institut Polytechnique (IP Paris) and HEC, aims to be a French and European leader in science, technology and business to rival the world’s best institutions. Its research into cutting-edge projects will increase the competitiveness of those companies capable of implementing them.
The center is the result of a close-knit alliance between the academic world and innovative companies driving the digital revolution. Consequently, Rexel joined the ranks of Total, l’Oréal, Capgemini and Kering in getting this project off the ground.
In March 2021, students from the Institut Polytechnique and HEC Paris, took part in a hackathon (‘Hi!ckathon 2021) to brainstorm AI and Data Science solutions to address global climate challenges, and how these could be used, in particular, to drive energy efficiency. Rexel was invited to share its own experiences in this area:
Rexel hopes that through its involvement in this new research center, it will continue to maintain its technological advantage and be recognised as a world reference in the use of AI, to ensure a more sustainable energy world.
According to Patrick Berard, CEO of Rexel : “The collaboration between the leading industrial companies of today and the great thinkers and researchers of tomorrow, is the key to our success for years to come.”