EDHEC Data Science & AI Students Explore Real-World Innovations at Orange Open Tech Days

EDHEC Business School's Master in Management – Data Science & AI for Business track students had an exclusive opportunity to immerse themselves in cutting-edge AI applications during the Orange Open Tech Days in Paris. This enriching event, hosted by Orange, the programme’s corporate partner, highlighted the transformative potential of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence across multiple industries.

The visit exemplifies the practical, hands-on approach of EDHEC's curriculum, designed to bridge academic learning with real-world challenges.

A Day of Discovery and Innovation

Invited by Orange, the students experienced a full day of insightful demonstrations, thought-provoking talks, and engaging discussions. The event showcased Orange's innovative projects and the tangible impact of data science and AI. Highlights of the day included:

•    Industrial and manufacturing incident management: Leveraging AI to monitor, detect, alert, and respond to potential disruptions in real time.
•    Scalable data analytics for customer value management: A demonstration of Orange’s precision marketing approach, reducing 24 million customers to a target of 200,000 with just two clicks.
•    Quantum computing in telecom: A forward-looking discussion on the transformative potential of quantum technology in telecommunications.
•    Generative AI applications: Insights into using GenAI for managing cloud-native networks and creating in-house large language models (LLMs) to democratise AI adoption within the workforce.
•    Drone data vision optimisation: Exploring how AI and telecom data are combined to enhance unmanned aviation missions.

For Sai Vandana, a student in the Master in Management – Data Science & AI for Business track, the diverse demonstrations provided a broader perspective on the telecom industry. “The wide variety of topics covered gave me deeper insights into the operations and challenges of the telecom industry—something you don’t often think about in daily life,” she shared. “It was thought-provoking to see how data science and AI are being applied in nearly every field today.”

AI and inclusivity: A broader perspective

The day concluded with a panel discussion exploring the inclusivity of AI. Vincent Lecerf, Executive VP of Human Resources at Orange and an EDHEC Alumnus, emphasised key themes such as diversity in data, workforce profiles, and access to AI technologies. The dialogue underscored the risk of widening the digital divide and the responsibility of organisations to ensure equitable AI advancements.

The session on women in tech particularly resonated with Sai Vandana. “The talk on women in tech was especially motivating—it’s encouraging to see companies taking initiatives to improve gender balance in the workforce,” she said.

A unique partnership with real-world impact

Professor Victor Bielsa-Planas, Programme Director of the Master in Management - Data Science & AI for Business track, highlighted the significance of the partnership with Orange in shaping the student experience:

“Through this partnership with Orange, of which the OpenTech Days is just one example among many interactions, events, and activities, our students gain valuable insights into how data science and AI initiatives are implemented at scale in real production environments. This experience provides them with a holistic approach, combining technical expertise with managerial skills, to address the operational, regulatory, economic, and human dimensions of executing innovative AI projects.
It is this unique blend of technical and managerial training that sets our programme apart and makes the partnership with Orange so valuable.”

For Sai Vandana, the demonstration by the Orange Egypt team particularly stood out. “The Orange Egypt team’s presentation on their Datalakehouse and CVM solution was especially impressive. It highlighted an advanced integration of data and business to enhance customer experience. Since I’ve always been interested in the intersection of data and business, this was incredibly eye-catching and something I’d love to contribute to in the future.”

Bridging academia and industry

Events like the Orange Open Tech Days highlight the practical dimension of the EDHEC Master in Management – Data Science & AI for Business track. For students, these opportunities represent a chance to learn directly from industry leaders, gaining exposure to the latest innovations and preparing for dynamic careers in data science and AI.

“The collaborative spirit of the Orange team was particularly inspiring,” Sai Vandana reflected. “We saw demonstrations from teams across Orange offices worldwide, each working on unique projects. This global perspective was both fascinating and enriching.”

The partnership with Orange reinforces EDHEC’s commitment to providing students with real-world insights and invaluable networking opportunities, equipping them with the tools to thrive in an evolving digital landscape.