About AISSAI

As part of its strategic plan on Artificial Intelligence (AI), the CNRS has launched its AI center for Science and Science for AI (AISSAI). The main objective of this center is to structure and organize cross-functional actions involving all CNRS institutes at the interfaces with AI. On january 1, 2024, AISSAI Center became a CNRS support and research unit (UAR2036).

Our mission

To further support the crossing of disciplines around AI, a reflection has been initiated and has made it possible to define the outlines of an interdisciplinary center in AI (AI for science, science for AI). This center has received strong support from the MESRI under the PIA.

A factor of visibility of the CNRS’ positioning on AI, the center aims to organize thematic quarters or working groups on multidisciplinary subjects for which data science is important (on cutting-edge subjects at the heart of the ‘IA), training around AI for researchers from different communities, as well as events such as workshops, webinars or hackathons. The center will also function as a project hotel (fellowships, invitations of researchers, funding of teams, possibly through calls from MITI). It will aim to build AI-society links. This involves supporting both the advancement of AI research and the integration of AI into research practices. The discussions that took place throughout 2021 made it possible to prefigure an initial program structured around thematic programs in 2022 and 2023.

At the same time, a MITI AAP “AI for science and science for AI” was launched to support projects prefiguring multidisciplinary project teams on the theme of AI.

Governance

The operation of this center requires daily management to put in place the necessary organization to attract and allow teams to work under fruitful conditions. The recruitment of a project engineer was essential.

The operational management of the center will be done by its director assisted by the project engineer. This tandem will regularly consult the executive committee, made up of representatives of the various CNRS institutes and from the COP working group. The International Scientific Advisory Board will advise on the running of the centre.

International Scientific Advisory Board (ISAB)

To give the center international visibility, an International Scientific Advisory Board has been set up (see Appendices). This committee will meet once or twice a year to make scientific proposals for the running of the centre. Finally, a fellows program will be set up to forge operational international relations.

Tanya Berger-Wolf

Ohio State University