Caast at Maddy Keynote 2024: an AI-focused edition

On March 28, the Palais Brongniart hosted the must-attend event on the French tech scene: the Maddy Keynote 2024. This year, AI was at the heart of the debates and Keynotes, with specific interventions and pertinent discussions on the stakes and perspectives of this technology and its uses. Caast attended this year's event to investigate and better understand what's at stake.

Opening keynote: Marina Ferrari Secretary of State for the Digital Economy

The day kicked off with a keynote by Marina Ferrari, Secretary of State for the Digital Sector. She stressed the importance of bringing together, celebrating and exchanging on French digital, highlighting the hybrid political and digital model. She also spoke about her roadmap, which focuses on supporting the French tech ecosystem, spreading digital culture and launching initiatives such as France 2030, with 3 billion euros for digital.

Madam Minister also mentions support for AI in France with a joint call for projects on the subject, and another on use cases in the Cloud, while recalling the report submitted to the President of the Republic by the Artificial Intelligence Commission on March 13, 2024. This report contains 25 recommendations to make France a major player in the artificial intelligence (AI) technological revolution.

"Faster, Better, Elsewhere, How is AI redrawing the boundaries of the business world?"

A panel discussion explored the transformative impact of artificial intelligence in the business world. Speakers included: 

• Cédric O, Co-founding Advisor at Mistral AI & Artefact
• Éléonore Crespon Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Pigment
• Cyrille Vincey, Partner at Bain & Company

"All sectors are affected, but not in the same way," asserts Cyrille Vincey. "Every SAAS vendor is doing generative AI integration to offer a complete service". The Bain & Company partner adds that AIs are good assistants and are already integrated into internal processes in many sectors.

Speakers also discussed strategic approaches for companies wishing to adopt AI, offering insights into how it is redefining the boundaries of the business world.

"Generative AI between ethics and performance: where's the happy medium?"

Another round table examined generative AI from the angle of ethics and performance. The experts present were:

• Raphaël Doann, Philosopher / Author 
• Julien Nicolas, Digital Director, SNCF Group
• Grace Mehrabe, Co-founder and CEO of Outmind

The table begins by defining what performance is and how it is impacted by AI, Grace Mehrabe, CEO of Outmind, recalls figures from a Boston Consulting Group study on the subject: "90% of participants saw an average increase in performance of 40% compared to participants performing the same task without AI."

Speakers analyzed the potential of this technology in terms of productivity and creativity, while addressing its limits and ethical implications. An essential reflection as AI continues to develop and impact our society.

The Maddy Keynote was also the occasion to present the Maddy Awards: 

• Claire Bretton, founder and CEO of Underdog, won the Impact Personality of the Year award, highlighting her commitment to appliance reconditioning in France.
• Aurélien de Meaux, co-founder and CEO of Electra, was named Entrepreneurial Personality of the Year for his involvement in the deployment of charging stations for electric vehicles in France and Europe.
• Pauline Roux, managing partner of Elaia, was awarded the VC of the Year trophy in recognition of her support for Deeptech startups.
• Benoît Roblin, Director of Bpifrance Le Hub, was named Service Provider of the Year for his role in supporting French startups.

Maddy Keynote 2024 was a day rich in exchanges and insights into the growing role of AI in our world. Caast was able to follow these fascinating discussions closely to continue innovating in the field of Live Shopping. Stay tuned for more news on our upcoming initiatives and collaborations in AI and Live Shopping.