The CAIRE project

CAIRE (Citizen-oriented Artificial Intelligence training for a Responsible Education) is a project aimed at establishing a sustainable and large-scale approach to training citizens in the use of artificial intelligence.

Winner of France 2030's call for expressions of interest in "Skills and Jobs of the Future," the CAIRE project began in September 2023 and will run for five years. It is coordinated by Arts et Métiers brings together CESI, Cnam, the University of Burgundy Europe, and the Paris School of Business.

Important issues surrounding artificial intelligence

Jobs are undergoing or will soon undergo significant changes linked to the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems into everyone's personal and professional lives. However, the technological and societal disruptions made possible by AI require new skills and can generate risks related to misuse or reluctance if we do not have the knowledge to understand them properly.

It is therefore essential to provide extensive training on how AI systems work, while developing the critical thinking skills of the various stakeholders. The aim is both to promote the conscious and informed use of AI in all professions and sectors of activity, and to encourage people to pursue careers in this rapidly growing field.

CAIRO: Addressing AI Training Needs

This is why the CAIRE project aims to contribute to the acculturation of professionals across a wide range of fields by developing training programs that address these challenges. CAIRE thus aims to equip learners with a set of knowledge and skills that will enable them to embrace AI and support its integration within companies.

In order to reach a wide audience, the training courses are organized into three levels:

An introductory level for any professional wishing to acquire the fundamentals of AI;
A second level aimed at deepening the practice of AI, particularly for professional use;
A third level intended for experienced professionals who have mastered the use of AI.

These short (49 hours in total), hybrid (both face-to-face and distance learning) and modular courses can be easily integrated into existing training programs, adapted to the context of different institutions, and implemented with a degree of flexibility. As part of lifelong learning, badges or certifications are used to recognize the skills acquired by learners.

Training courses accessible to all audiences, throughout the country

While students in initial training at the five partner institutions are the primary target audience for the project, staff at the consortium's institutions, professionals in the private and public sectors, job seekers, and citizens undergoing professional retraining are also eligible for these training courses. CAIRE aims to train 28,000 people across the country throughout the duration of the project.

Eight other consortium partners will ensure that the project's scope is broadened, with a focus on the needs of local areas and the socio-economic world: the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region, the Normandy Region, the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté Region, Dijon Métropole, the Creusot Montceau Urban Community, Cap-Digital, NAE Normandie, and Compar:IA.

In order to ensure this nationwide rollout, particular attention is being paid to training trainers. As there is a shortage of trainers in the field of AI, an innovative approach has been devised: subject-specific trainers (in science, technology, or the humanities) will be trained in AI so that they can in turn train learners.

Widespread distribution

The learning data collected, along with the practices and uses identified during the project, will be scientifically evaluated at the international level in the fields of education sciences and organizational management.

Feedback from partners on the implementation and evaluation of such a training program will be shared in a white paper.

Finally, annual theme days will be organized for training providers, businesses, and local authorities to share the knowledge gained from implementing this project. An international symposium on the theme of mass acculturation to AI will conclude the project in 2028.

CAIRE stands out for its transdisciplinary approach, its integration of ethical and sustainability considerations, and its ability to reach a large and diverse audience. The project will thus make a significant contribution to developing the skills needed to accelerate the nationwide rollout of responsible AI use.

Project partners and their representatives

Arts et Métiers

Cécile Weltman: project manager and head of work package 3 (sustainability, knowledge dissemination, and communication), member of the project team
Emmanuelle Abisset-Chavanne: scientific project manager, co-manager of work package 1 (development and evaluation of training courses and systems), member of the project team

CESI

Yohan Dupuis: Scientific Director of the project, member of the project team
Morgan Saveuse: Scientific Project Manager for CESI
Hugues Delalin: project lead for CESI and co-manager of work package 1 (development and evaluation of training courses and programs)

University of Burgundy Europe

Christophe Cruz: scientific project manager for UBE; manager of work package 2 (training operations)
Magali Sabio: project lead for UBE

National Conservatory ofArts et Métiers CNAM)

Sylvain Ferrari: Scientific Project Manager for the CNAM
Sophie Guichard: project lead for the CNAM
Sharing expertise through the MOOC "Generative AI and Me" (created by Cécile Dejoux, Professor at the Cnam) and a serious game