Research at CRIL on “AI at the service of other disciplines” was initially sparked by the creation by the University of Artois of the AI Major Interest Domain (DIM) in 2018. The scientific exchanges with colleagues from other Artois laboratories, from a variety of disciplines (chemistry, health, sociology, law) that took place within the framework of this DIM highlighted a wide range of questions of interest, whether theoretical or applied, for which the AI techniques mastered at CRIL could be profitably exploited. Since then, the multi-disciplinary work carried out jointly with these colleagues has been intensified by the ANR VIVAH project (“Contrats doctoraux en intelligence artificielle” - PhD contracts in artificial intelligence) in response to a call for proposals that was part of the national AI strategy, the positive feedback received and the thesis funding allocated (and supplemented by the Université d’Artois). The transverse action on “AI at the service of other disciplines” took on a much greater scope following the setting up and funding of the PIA4 ExcellenceS MAIA project (“Maîtrise des Applications de l’AI”), led by the Université d’Artois for the A2U alliance (UArtois - ULCO - UPJV).

MAIA aims to study, develop and deploy the strong interactions that exist between AI and three key application areas of the A2U alliance: health (UPJV), chemistry (materials, energy; UPJV/UArtois) and the environment/sea (ULCO), as well as their economic, sociological, ethical and legal aspects. This interdisciplinary project involves 19 laboratories, as well as a wide network of socio-economic players (local authorities, companies, clusters, etc.). Scheduled to run until 2031, this project, through the collaborations it will promote and the financial resources it will provide (€11M), will have a significant influence on the research activities conducted at CRIL during the next contract.