“AI & Data for Industrial Engineering” Creation of a joint research chair between École nationale des ponts et chaussées and Scalian to accelerate innovation in artificial intelligence and data for industrial engineering
École nationale des ponts et chaussées (ENPC) and Scalian announce the creation of a five-year joint research chair entitled “AI & Data for Industrial Engineering.” This strategic partnership aims to develop cutting-edge technological research at the intersection of artificial intelligence, data science, and industrial engineering. The official signing of the chair took place on Monday, April 20, at ENPC’s premises, in the presence of William Rozé, President of the Scalian Group, and Anthony Briant, Director of ENPC.
Led by the “Data Science for Complex Systems” team within the Co-Innovation Lab and by ENPC’s Industrial Engineering Department, in close collaboration with Scalian’s teams, this chair is part of a high-impact technological research dynamic. Under the scientific direction of Mohamed Saâd El Harrab, Associate Professor at ENPC, it aims to develop innovative, operational solutions to address a wide range of engineering and industrial performance challenges, leveraging data analytics, algorithmics, and artificial intelligence systems.
The chair’s program will combine academic and applied research activities, including the supervision of engineering internships, PhD theses, and postdoctoral research. It will bring together the scientific expertise of ENPC teams and Scalian experts to foster knowledge transfer and the development of innovative solutions that can be directly applied in industrial contexts.
The chair will be governed by a steering committee bringing together representatives from both partners, ensuring alignment between research activities and scientific and industrial challenges. For Scalian, it will include Nicolas Viala, COO Scalian France, and Jean-Pierre Dupé, Managing Director of Scalian Consulting; and for ENPC, Emmanuel Girard, Deputy Director of Research, and Fabien Liéval, Director of the Co-Innovation Lab.
A structured collaboration to address today’s industrial challenges
The collaboration program is based on a rigorous scientific approach, at the intersection of traditional engineering methods and recent advances in artificial intelligence and data science. It aims to address complex industrial challenges, particularly in system modeling, process optimization, automation, uncertainty management, and the integration of human factors, within a context of environmental and energy transitions.
The chair’s work will be organized around projects jointly defined by the partners and led by a dedicated committee. These projects will result in tangible outcomes such as prototypes, demonstrators, and decision-support tools.
A first structuring project has already been launched, focusing on AI-assisted document engineering for industrial applications.
“This chair reflects École nationale des ponts et chaussées’ commitment to strengthening its collaborations with leading industrial players, in order to develop high-impact research and actively contribute to ongoing technological transformations, particularly in the field of AI applied to engineering,” said Anthony Briant, Director of ENPC.
“Through this partnership, Scalian aims to leverage the academic excellence of École nationale des ponts et chaussées to address complex scientific and technical challenges and accelerate the development of innovative solutions serving the industrial performance of its clients,” stated William Rozé, President of the Scalian Group.
Press contacts:
École nationale des ponts et chaussées (ENPC) :
MadameMonsieur agency
Stéphanie Masson : 06 84 65 17 34
smasson@madamemonsieur.agency
ENPC Communications Department
Karima Chelbi : 01 64 15 34 17
karima.chelbi@enpc.fr
Scalian :
LA SUITE AND CO agency
Julie LEPLUS : 06 45 07 86 78
julie.leplus@lasuiteandco.com
Scalian Communications Department
Frédérique Mazars : 06 03 29 74 85
frederique.mazars@scalian.com
About École nationale des ponts et chaussées
Founded in 1747, École nationale des ponts et chaussées is a leading French engineering school that trains future executives and researchers to address the challenges of a sustainable 21st-century society.
Beyond civil engineering and urban planning, which have historically built its reputation, the School develops world-class education and research programs addressing ecological transition and social responsibility across broader fields, including cities and transport, mathematics, economics and finance, energy, mechanics, and materials science.
Its 15 teaching and research chairs are fully dedicated to these challenges, combining scientific and technical expertise with economic realities and societal acceptability.
ENPC is a member of Institut Polytechnique de Paris (IP Paris), a world-class science and technology institution alongside École polytechnique, ENSTA Paris, ENSAE Paris, Télécom Paris, and Télécom SudParis. It is also a founding member of Paris School of Economics (PSE) and of the European university EELISA, which brings together 10 higher education institutions across 8 countries. ENPC is ISO 9001:2015 certified. https://ecoledesponts.fr/
About Scalian
Founded in 1989, Scalian specializes in critical software, systems engineering, operational performance, and digital solutions.
Scalian supports its clients in transforming their methods and developing their value chains by deploying advanced technologies, backed by deep knowledge of their products and business processes.
Operating across industries such as aerospace, defense, energy, mobility, and banking, the company is present in 12 countries, with revenue of €550 million as of December 31, 2025, and more than 6,000 employees.