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The Master in AI & Data Analytics is designed to offer students a comprehensive curriculum, at the crossroads of advanced technical skills and practical applications. Through intensive courses, certifications (such as Python and Tableau) and projects in partnership with renowned companies, the program trains future experts ready to meet the challenges of the artificial intelligence and data analytics fields. Thanks to the many contributions from partner companies, students benefit from a highly diverse and professionalizing experience.

A case study by Decathlon

The Master in AI and Data Analytics’ key partnerships include Decathlon, one of the world’s leading sporting goods retailers. Students had the opportunity to take part in a workshop led by a professional from Decathlon on the use of Tableau, a visual analytics platform widely used in the field of business intelligence. This workshop enabled students to delve into the complex field of data visualization and the interpretation of critical information, based on real data.

Using a case study drawn directly from Decathlon’s needs, participants analyzed data to optimize the marketing funnel (potential customer’s purchasing journey, divided into several stages, from the first interaction with a brand through to purchase) and to measure the effectiveness of their website. They applied the principles of analytical visualization and interactive dashboard development to meet the company’s managerial expectations.

The hackathon: a collaborative experience between students and companies

The flagship project of the Master in AI and Data Analytics program is a hackathon involving several partner companies occuring every year for the past 10 years. During four months, students work on managerial issues based on real data provided by companies. This year, partners such as Crédit Agricole, Cofidis, Leroy Merlin, Enfocus and Bleckmann have already contributed to this hackathon. To accomplish their mission, the students call on all the knowledge they have acquired in class to analyze the complex data provided to them, and produce solutions in the form of a dashboard or other format.

This collaborative project, which usually runs from January to May with regular check-ins with the companies, including a meeting at their headquarters. This visit is an opportunity for students to present their project status. They also benefit from academic support from professors throughout the project, before the final presentation at the end of the semester. For each company, two teams of students compete in front of a jury made up of professors and a representative of the organization involved in the project. The panel of judges selects the winning team before sharing a friendly moment at the closing ceremony of these four months of hard work.

For companies, this hackathon is a unique opportunity to spot talent, since they are in direct contact with the students and see them at work. As a result, some participants manage to land internships and even permanent contracts. These collaborations between the Master in AI & Data Analytics and companies sometimes continue in a different form such as innovation chairs.

Understanding the ethics of AI with PwC

The Master in AI & Data Analytics program also places particular emphasis on AI ethics and data privacy issues. In this context, it benefits from a close partnership with PwC, one of the prestigious Big Four, renowned for its expertise in audit and consulting. Each year, a 16-hour module is led by a PwC Data Scientist or Data Analyst to get students acquainted with the fundamentals of RGPD (General Data Protection Regulation). This module explores new European regulations in the field of artificial intelligence, such as the groundbreaking “AI Act“, which aims to frame the development and use of AI in the European Union

Students learn how to stay ahead of the legal and ethical issues facing companies, and how to integrate these dimensions into their future careers. By following this module, they acquire essential skills to evolve in a constantly changing environment, where mastery of the legal and ethical aspects of data management has become essential.

A three-way network for innovation in AI and Data Science

Finally, the “Alumni Day”, an annual event organized by IÉSEG Network, IÉSEG’s alumni network, with Kristof COUSSEMENT, Academic Director of the Master in AI & Data Analytics, aims to create a close-knit community around the program by bringing together graduates, current students and companies.

“We strive to create a three-way community around Data innovation topics, with people who are passionate about this topic. Each year, we invite an external speaker to give a talk on a particular theme, such as generative artificial intelligence. The participants then enjoy a friendly networking moment, which enables them to discuss the themes covered during the conference, and to strengthen ties among students, graduates and representatives of partner companies,” explains Kristof COUSSEMENT.