Rencontres Numériques de Strasbourg: Cigref and Numeum launch a triple appeal to digital players

With the Rencontres Numériques de Strasbourg, Cigref and Numeum are pursuing their ambition to create a Europe-wide event dedicated to high-level executives and decision-makers in the digital ecosystem, combining collective intelligence, inspiring presentations and conviviality.

Digital: what is progress?

For two and a half days, participants discussed the implications of the notion of progress in the digital age. Territories, Europe in space, geopolitics, health… These were just some of the topics addressed in plenary sessions by leaders and experts such as Professor Jacques Marescaux, Chairman of IRCAD, Jean-Paul Mazoyer, DGA of Crédit Agricole, Marianne Laigneau, Chairman of the Management Board of Enedis, Bruno Dupré, Diplomat, speaking on his own behalf, Nicole Gnesotto, Vice-President of the Institut Jacques Delors, Christophe Grudler, Member of the European Parliament, Beltem Rosich, Program Manager at the European Space Agency, and François Chimits, economist.

Eight strategic themes for “digital success

The workshops of this first edition of the Rencontres explored the meaning of progress in the face of the race for innovation in digital technologies, through 8 themes.

1. Going beyond innovation

Reflections on the meaning of progress in the face of the race for innovation in digital technologies.

2. Generative artificial intelligence

AI between human progress, productivity gas pedal and technological distraction: initial assessment and outlook.

3. Towards digital resilience

Managing digital risks and dependencies at the heart of an organization’s resilience strategy.

4. The impact of digital technology, between growth and sustainability

From controlling the environmental footprint of digital technology to mobilizing it to help decarbonize society and its economy.”

5. Towards a European digital geopolitics

Identify the main digital challenges for the European continent, its economy, its digital market and its companies.

6. Thinking about the future of work

The changing world of work, challenged by digital transformations and the opportunities they bring.

7. Developing skills and retaining talent

Meet the challenges of the growing shortage of digital skills in organizations.

8. Rethink the dialogue between IT and business

Explore the mutations at work in the relationship between digital transformations and business challenges.

Strengthening the French and European cloud services offering

Marina Ferrari, French Secretary of State for the Digital Economy, honored the closing plenary session of the first Rencontres Numériques de Strasbourg with her presence. Marina Ferrari took the opportunity to present three initiatives designed to strengthen the French and European offer of cloud services for strategic autonomy and AI.

She announced that 27 new companies have been selected to take part in the SecNum Cloud program to help cloud publishers secure and qualify for the SecNum Cloud security visa.

The aim is to raise the security level of SaaS (Software as a Service) and PaaS (Platform as a Service) offerings developed by start-ups and SMEs, and to facilitate access to qualification in order to increase the diversity of SecNum Cloud offerings.

She also confirmed the launch of a major project of common European interest (PIIEC), worth €2.6 billion in investment, including €1.2 billion in public funds, which will benefit three projects led by European players Atos, Orange Business and Amadeus, whose representatives were present at the Rencontres Numériques de Strasbourg. Finally, she announced the launch of a new France 2030 call for projects, operated on behalf of the State by Bpifrance, aimed at companies wishing to propose a cloud and AI offering that meets the State’s specific needs.

On this occasion, Marina Ferrari declared, “ The new impetus we are giving to the cloud strategy shows our determination to continue on the path to digital sovereignty through innovation and the development of competitive offerings, in conjunction with a proactive public procurement policy, and while ensuring the protection of sensitive data for citizens, administrations and businesses.”

These announcements echo the issues discussed at the Rencontres Numériques in Strasbourg. Cigref and Numeum assured Marina Ferrari of their commitment to supporting this call for projects, which articulates the continuum between cloud, data and AI.

Perspectives opened up by the Rencontres Numériques de Strasbourg

At the closing plenary session, Véronique Torner, President of Numeum, and Jean-Claude Laroche, President of Cigref, outlined the prospects that the success of this first edition now offers our ecosystem.

Véronique Torner commented: ” Federating the ecosystem is essential to building and promoting a common vision of the digital industry in France and Europe. The Rencontres Numériques de Strasbourg, organized by Cigref in partnership with Numeum, is now clearly part of this agenda. “

Jean-Claude Laroche declared: “From our discussions, our exchanges, and from what I have been able to perceive of your interest combined with your pleasure in taking part in these meetings, I have no doubt that we will decide to renew the same scheme next year, in the same format, with the same level of representation from our organizations”.

A triple appeal to the ecosystem and public authorities

At the close of the Rencontres Numériques de Strasbourg, Cigref and Numeum are launching a threefold appeal to digital industry leaders and decision-makers, reflecting the ambitions they have co-constructed over the course of the 3-day event: – to promote the use of digital technologies in the workplace and in the workplace.

– Let’s be bold in researching and developing digital solutions for progress.

– Let’s be responsible in our appropriation of technological innovation.

– Let’s be European and place the values of caring for society and protecting the environment at the heart of our digital businesses.

The call from Cigref and Numeum is addressed to public and private organizations, and aims to build on the dialogue, reflection and proposals initiated by the Rencontres Numériques de Strasbourg, in order to sketch out together the contours of a digital world at the service of society and its economy, a digital world of progress.