AI at ENS
ENS, a center of excellence for research and training on AI
The ENS has been at the forefront of AI research for over 15 years, with its researchers including several international leaders in various fields of AI. These include data analysis and statistical processing (Stéphane Mallat), statistical learning and optimization (Michael l. Jordan, Francis Bach), computer vision and robotics (Jean Ponce, Cordelia Schmid), optimal transport theory, imaging, machine learning (Gabriel Peyré), and complex data management (Pierre Senellart).
As the ultimate interface science, AI finds an exceptional environment at the ENS due to its interdisciplinarity. Innovative approaches to AI have already been developed thanks to collaborations with statistical physics, cognitive sciences or climate sciences. Collaborations between the different fields of AI have greatly benefited from the 2020 creation of the ENS Data Science Center, which brings together AI specialists from different disciplines.
The dynamics of the ENS AI ecosystem is also reflected in the creation of deeptech start-ups based on advances in AI. The most emblematic successes are MISTRAL AI (unicorn), Shift Technology (unicorn), Dataiku (unicorn), LightOn and Aqemia. In total, more than 15 AI start-ups have been created in the ENS laboratories since 2015.
Finally, the ENS is notably distinguished by the excellence of its mathematics curriculum, whether in the core disciplines of AI (mathematics, computer science) or in other disciplines (physics and cognitive sciences, in particular). The ENS is an exceptionally fertile soil for burgeoning future AI talents, and the leading institution capable of directing top "French school of mathematics" students towards AI.
