École Polytechnique accelerates in sovereign technologies in AI and cybersecurity with Orange Group

École Polytechnique and telecommunications and digital services operator Orange have signed a strategic partnership to strengthen research, innovation, and training in two key areas for digital sovereignty: artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.

“We share Orange's belief that scientific excellence must serve the public interest and technological sovereignty. This partnership strengthens our efforts in two essential areas—AI and cybersecurity—and opens up new opportunities for training, innovation, and producing trusted technologies", said Laura Chaubard, President and CEO of École Polytechnique.

This partnership brings together the academic expertise of École Polytechnique and Orange's technological innovation capabilities to accelerate the emergence of trusted digital solutions that will help Europe master the technologies essential to its strategic autonomy. 

"Faced with the major challenges of our time, Europe must equip itself with the means to achieve digital sovereignty. This partnership with École Polytechnique accelerates our investment in the critical technologies of tomorrow—responsible AI, quantum cybersecurity—while training a new generation of experts. It is by combining scientific excellence and industrial innovation that we will build a trusted European technological ecosystem," emphasized Christel Heydemann, CEO of Orange.

FOUR COMPLEMENTARY AXES

The agreement provides for the creation of an academic research chair supported by Orange and dedicated to artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. 

It includes the development of a joint X-Orange center of excellence bringing together researchers, doctoral students, and engineers from both organizations to work on applied research projects.

It includes support for excellence in training, notably by welcoming students on internships and doctoral students working on their theses at Polytechnique.

It plans to continue the joint commitment of X and Orange to diversity, gender equality, and equal opportunities through awareness-raising and promotional activities.

This partnership was formalized at Orange OpenTech 2025, the Orange Group's flagship innovation event, which took place from November 18 to 20. 

Over three days, Orange OpenTech brought together its entire ecosystem—employees, partners, start-ups, customers, and experts—to explore the latest technological advances, engage in dialogue with experts, and co-create the solutions of tomorrow.