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The 20th anniversary edition
March 14 & 15, 2025
at UNESCO / Ministère de la Santé / Mediawan • Paris
FR · EN
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Debate

Artificial intelligence: a cost (too high) for the planet

Artificial intelligence, and more precisely generative AI, is omnipresent in our lives today. It has revolutionised the way we use digital technology on a daily basis, enabling GPS systems to calculate our itineraries or our smartphone keyboards to predict the word we are going to write. It has also transformed many sectors, from predictive medicine to human resources and finance. But behind each of these actions, data centres, which are particularly energy-hungry, operate night and day to process and analyse this information. The ecological footprint of AI is estimated to represent around 5% of the environmental impact of data centres in Europe, and is set to increase by 20-25% a year over the next decade. Digital technologies also require rare raw materials, adding to the pressure on ecosystems. There is therefore an urgent need to reflect on the place of AI, its use and its impact, in order to question its raison d'être, its usefulness and its uses. But to reduce the impact, we need to measure the scale of the impact of this hyper-growth universe and bring together businesses, public authorities, research bodies and associations to create common frames of reference and promote frugal alternative solutions. Are technical and technological innovation compatible with the restoration of ecological and human balances?

Frédéric BORDAGE , Founder of the Green IT Association

Hugues FERREBOEUF , Digital Project Manager at The Shift Project

Jérôme FOURNIER , Vice President of Innovation, Services, and Growth at Nexans Group

Juliette FROPIER , AI Project Manager, Ecolab, General Secretariat for Sustainable Development - Ministries of Territory, Ecology, and Housing

Yves NICOLAS , Director of the AI Program Group, SopraSteria

Moderation: Jérôme JUBELIN, President of UMANAO, host, and speaker

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La maison de l'UNESCO, 125 avenue Suffren, 75007 Paris – Salle IV
Friday, March 14 – 11:30 - 13:00
In partnership with LA MACIF, IESF
LA MACIF IESF

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With the intervention of

Juliette FROPIER
Juliette FROPIER
AI Project Manager, Ecolab, General Secretariat for Sustainable Development - Ministries of Territory, Ecology, and Housing
Frédéric BORDAGE
Frédéric BORDAGE
Founder of the Green IT Association
Yves NICOLAS
Yves NICOLAS
Director of the AI Program Group, SopraSteria
Hugues FERREBOEUF
Hugues FERREBOEUF
Digital Project Manager at The Shift Project
Jérôme FOURNIER
Jérôme FOURNIER
Vice President of Innovation, Services, and Growth at Nexans Group

Moderation

Jérôme JUBELIN
Jérôme JUBELIN
President of UMANAO, host, and speaker

Other debates at the same time

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Géraud GUIBERT , President of La Fabrique Écologique

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Audrey PEGURET , Chief Sustainability Officer & Transformation at the Hôtel Ritz

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La maison de l'UNESCO, 125 avenue Suffren, 75007 Paris – Salle II
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Ministère de la Santé, 14 avenue Duquesne 75007 Paris – Salle laroque
Friday, March 14 – 11:30 - 13:00
In partnership with FONDATION UNE SANTÉ DURABLE POUR TOUS