Impact AI
Impact AI is a French non-profit Think & Do Tank collective of 80+ organizations, founded in 2018 under Microsoft France's leadership, that curates research, training, and policy resources on responsible AI for enterprises, startups, academia, and civil society in France.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersIssy-les Moulineaux, France
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Impact AI does
Impact AI is a French non-profit association (association loi 1901) headquartered in Issy-les-Moulineaux that operates as a Think & Do Tank collective dedicated to responsible artificial intelligence. Founded in 2018 under the leadership of Microsoft France, the organization brings together more than 80 member organizations spanning large enterprises (AXA, Orange, Capgemini, SNCF, Engie, Schneider Electric, Bouygues, Air France-KLM), IT services and consulting firms (Accenture, Devoteam, BCG, Deloitte, PwC, Atos), AI startups (craft ai, DCbrain, Brennus Analytics), and academic institutions (SKEMA Business School, EPITA). Its core activity is the curation and production of knowledge resources — including the annual Responsible AI Observatory, the Briefs de l'IA Responsable publication series, the Guide IA de Confiance, the EU AI Act compliance toolkit, and the open Responsible AI Toolbox library of technical and governance tools — combined with thematic working groups covering Responsible AI, Education, Environment, AI & Health, and AI & Work.
The collective does not develop proprietary AI technology products. Its 'products' are a portfolio of programs: the annual Masterclass de l'IA Responsable, the AI Act Day event series, the 'Mon job avec l'IA' podcast (co-produced with Groupe VYV and Open), and the 2025-launched 'Cafés de l'IA Responsable' training program with an explicit goal to train 1 million employees by end of 2026. Distribution channels are the website (impact-ai.fr), a weekly newsletter, social media (LinkedIn, X, Facebook, YouTube), earned media coverage in French outlets, and direct membership engagement under a sponsorship model (new members must be introduced by an existing member and commit to at least one working group).
Impact AI is financed through annual membership fees from its member organizations; pricing is not publicly disclosed and prospective members are directed to contact the organization via email. The collective operates with a lean staff of approximately 6 employees and is governed by a member-elected Board of Directors (most recently elected for the 2024-2026 term). Microsoft France's COO, Laurence Lafont, serves as Présidente, reflecting Microsoft's role as founding anchor and ongoing strategic partner. The organization's geographic footprint is concentrated in France, with no explicit international expansion signaled.
Impact AI firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Impact AI
- Legal name
- Impact AI
- Website
- https://impact-ai.fr
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Impact AI is a French non-profit Think & Do Tank collective of 80+ organizations, founded in 2018 under Microsoft France's leadership, that curates research, training, and policy resources on responsible AI for enterprises, startups, academia, and civil society in France.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Impact AI industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Responsible AI Collective / AI Ethics Think Tank
- NAICS
- Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Professional Organizations (81392)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Responsible AI, AI Governance & Compliance Services (BPAEAHAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Responsible AI Policy, Controls & Workflow Management (HDAAAMAG), Regulatory Readiness & Audit Automation (e.g., EU AI Act, NIST AI RMF, ISO/IEC 42001) (HDAAAMAE), AI Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) Platforms (HDAAAMAA)
Keywords
Where Impact AI is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Issy-les Moulineaux
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Impact AI business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Membership fees: Impact AI is an association (collective) financed through membership fees from its members, which include large enterprises, ESN (digital services) companies, consulting firms, AI startups, and schools. The membership model sustains the association's operations and programs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Annual | Standard membership (organization tiers: large groups, ETI/PME, startups, institutions, research/training bodies, civil society) |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels7 records
Impact AI product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Impact AI is a French non-profit association that operates a collective/think-and-do tank dedicated to responsible AI adoption in France. It sells organizational memberships granting access to thematic working groups (Responsible AI, Education, Environment, AI & Health, AI & Work), and delivers an ecosystem of knowledge resources, events, training, research publications, podcasts, and practical toolkits (including AI Act compliance kits and responsible AI tools libraries) for its 80+ member organizations.
Product overview
Impact AI is a French Think & Do Tank collective (association loi 1901) founded in 2018 under Microsoft France's leadership, focused on responsible AI adoption in France. The organization does not sell a unified software product but operates as a multi-offering platform consisting of: the annual Responsible AI Observatory (research publications and surveys), Cafés de l'IA Responsable (corporate training targeting 1M employees by 2026), Masterclass de l'IA Responsable (annual conferences), the Mon job avec l'IA podcast (10-episode media series), AI Act Day events, and the explor'IA digital event. Supporting resources include the Briefs de l'IA Responsable publication series, the Guide IA de Confiance (trustworthy AI implementation guide), the AI Act compliance toolkit, the Responsible AI Toolbox (technical and governance tools library), and sector-specific workshops like the Fresque IA responsable et santé. Together these offerings form an ecosystem of research, education, advocacy, and practical resources for ethical AI adoption.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Observatoire de l'IA Responsable (Responsible AI Observatory) Annual observatory conducting surveys and studies on French public perception of AI, publishing reports and infographics on AI reputation and image in France. For member organizations and the broader public seeking evidence-based insight on AI perception.
- Cafés de l'IA Responsable Responsible AI training program targeting 1 million employees trained by end of 2026, providing workshops and awareness sessions on ethical AI adoption in enterprises. For enterprise HR, L&D, and responsible AI leads.
- Les Masterclass de l'IA Responsable
Quantifiable outcome
- More than 1.5 million people were reached by the explor'IA event in 2020
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Impact AI
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Impact AI technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Impact AI partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
42 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and supporting.
- MicrosoftflagshipMicrosoft is the founding/lead member and initiator of the Impact AI collective. Under Microsoft's leadership, the collective was launched to help make France a leading nation in digital advancement, focusing on responsible AI development. Microsoft provides technological and financial support to Impact AI projects and has played a central role in convening the diverse ecosystem of members.
- AXAflagshipAXA is a founding member of Impact AI. Cécile Wendling, AXA's Director of Prospective, serves as lead of the Responsible AI working group and represents AXA on the Impact AI board. AXA finances fundamental research on responsible AI and created a Data Protection & Ethics Panel.
- OrangecoreOrange is a founding member committed to responsible AI use to improve processes and propose new sustainable services. Orange contributes to the collective's mission to develop AI in the service of the general interest.
- AccenturecoreAccenture is a founding member. Through its Accenture Strategic Business Analytics Chair at ESSEC and its academies, Accenture has helped develop AI skills for over a thousand people in France. Accenture's participation complements its broader initiatives to develop AI competencies among employees, customers, technology partners, and students.
- CapgeminicoreCapgemini is a founding member contributing to AI deployment in France, particularly supporting training actions from beginner to advanced knowledge in AI to discover and develop new talents essential for transforming AI promises into operational reality.
- AltrancoreAltran (now part of Capgemini) is a founding member of Impact AI, contributing to the collective's ecosystem of AI actors.
- Groupe BouyguescoreGroupe Bouygues is a founding member of Impact AI, participating in the collective effort to develop responsible AI in France.
- EngiecoreEngie is a founding member of Impact AI.
- Schneider ElectriccoreSchneider Electric is a founding member of Impact AI.
- SNCFcoreSNCF is a founding member of Impact AI.
- Adecco GroupcoreAdecco Group is a founding member of Impact AI, contributing to the collective's work on AI and the future of work.
- Groupe HervécoreGroupe Hervé is a founding member of Impact AI, participating in reflections on responsible and respectful AI development.
- DevoteamcoreDevoteam is a founding member of Impact AI, contributing to AI deployment and training actions.
- DXC TechnologycoreDXC Technology is a founding member of Impact AI, with a natural ambition to develop digital skills. DXC has partnered with Microsoft and Simplon to demonstrate that digital and AI are vectors for job creation and growth.
- EconocomcoreEconocom is a founding member of Impact AI.
- Magellan PartnerscoreMagellan Partners is a founding member of Impact AI.
- TalancoreTalan is a founding member of Impact AI. Mehdi Houas, President of Talan Group, describes the collective as a tremendous initiative for thinking and acting together on responsible AI.
- UmaniscoreUmanis is a founding member of Impact AI.
- Boston Consulting Group (BCG)coreBCG is a founding member of Impact AI, contributing strategic consulting perspective to the collective.
- SKEMA Business SchoolcoreSKEMA Business School is a founding member of Impact AI, represented by Fabien Seraidarian, PhD, Vice-Dean for Research Valorization and Scientific Director of the Global Executive MBA.
- EPITAcoreEPITA is a founding member of Impact AI. The school shares experiences with industrial partners and continuously adapts its AI-related training programs, offering a health major since 2019.
- France is AIcoreFrance is AI is a founding member and initiative aimed at supporting and promoting the French AI ecosystem domestically and internationally.
- DCbraincoreDCbrain is a founding member, an AI startup. Arnaud de Moissac, CEO of DCbrain, highlights the diverse group of working groups and themes that offer a space to address different projects collectively.
- craft aicorecraft ai is a founding member of Impact AI, an AI startup focused on ethics, responsibility, and explainability in AI.
- Brennus AnalyticscoreBrennus Analytics is a founding member of Impact AI, an AI startup. CEO Grégoire Saint-Guily emphasizes the importance of genuine reflection on AI's challenges and diffusing them widely.
- Groupe VYVcoreGroupe VYV is a member and co-presenter of the 'Mon job avec l'IA' podcast. Candice Van Lancker, Director of Trusted AI at Groupe Vyv, describes the group's historical commitment to ethical digital technology and responsible innovation for humans.
- OpencoreOpen is a member and co-presenter of the 'Mon job avec l'IA' podcast. Nathalie Mrejen, Director of Marketing and Communication at Open, states the company's commitment to understanding AI's impacts and making digital a human and sustainable lever.
- DataikusupportingDataiku is a member of the Impact AI ecosystem, contributing to the collective's work on responsible AI tools and practices.
- Sopra SteriasupportingSopra Steria joined Impact AI under the initiative of Microsoft, its long-standing strategic partner. Fabienne Mathey-Girbig, Director of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainable Development at Sopra Steria, describes Impact AI as the ideal circle to nurture dialogue, reflections, and convictions on AI ethics.
- MAIFsupportingMAIF is a member of Impact AI, committed to a 'numérique résolument humain et éthique' (decidedly human and ethical digital).
- InVivo GroupsupportingInVivo Group is a member of Impact AI, focused on 'intelligent food' using digital and data technologies. Thierry Blandinières, Director General of InVivo Group, describes AI as an equation to significantly increase agricultural productivity while being more virtuous and resource-efficient.
- EnedissupportingEnedis is a member of Impact AI.
- DeloittesupportingDeloitte is a member of Impact AI.
- PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers)supportingPwC is a member of Impact AI.
- AtossupportingAtos is a member of Impact AI.
- MacifsupportingMacif is a member of Impact AI.
- SimplonsupportingSimplon is a member of Impact AI. Frédéric Bardeau, President and co-founder of Simplon, participates in Impact AI governance roundtables.
- Wild Code SchoolsupportingWild Code School is a member of Impact AI.
- AxionablesupportingAxionable is a member of Impact AI.
- Substra FoundationsupportingSubstra Foundation is a member of Impact AI.
- La PostesupportingLa Poste is a member of Impact AI.
- Air France-KLMcoreAir France-KLM is a founding member of Impact AI, contributing to the collective's mission of responsible AI development in France.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Impact AI competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- AlgorithmWatch: European non-profit research and advocacy organization examining algorithmic decision-making. Comparable as a European responsible AI advocacy and research body, though with more of an investigative/regulatory watchdog focus than Impact AI's industry collective model.
Direct peers
- Partnership on AI: Multi-stakeholder non-profit coalition of academia, civil society, and industry focused on responsible AI. Directly comparable to Impact AI as a cross-sector collective convening major tech and enterprise members around AI ethics and best practices, though operating at a global rather than national scale.
- Global Partnership on AI (GPAI): International multi-stakeholder initiative launched by OECD/G7 governments to guide responsible AI development. Directly comparable to Impact AI's collective model of convening governments, industry, and academia around AI governance, though at a multi-national policy level.
- Future of Life Institute: Non-profit working on AI safety and governance, including the AI Act advocacy in Europe. Comparable as a multi-stakeholder responsible AI advocacy organization producing policy recommendations and educational content.
- AI Now Institute: US-based research institute examining the social implications of AI, producing influential policy research and recommendations. Directly comparable as an AI ethics and policy research organization producing publications and policy advocacy, though academic rather than industry-led.
- Data & Society: US-based research institute studying the social implications of data-centric technologies including AI. Comparable as a non-profit producing research and convening diverse stakeholders around AI ethics and societal impact.
- Responsible AI Institute: Non-profit providing responsible AI assessment, certification, and educational resources to enterprises. Comparable as a responsible AI standards/training organization focused on AI governance adoption by enterprises.
- Montreal AI Ethics Institute: Canadian non-profit producing applied research, frameworks, and educational resources on AI ethics. Comparable as an AI ethics think tank publishing research and toolkits; similar scale and non-profit model to Impact AI, though operating in a different geography.
Broad incumbents
- OECD AI Policy Observatory: Intergovernmental observatory providing evidence-based policy analysis on AI. Comparable to Impact AI's Observatoire de l'IA Responsable in producing surveys and reputation studies, though operating at an OECD-wide governmental scale rather than a national industry-collective level.
- European AI Alliance: European Commission-initiated multi-stakeholder forum on AI policy. Comparable as a broad European ecosystem for AI policy dialogue and recommendations, though led by EU institutions rather than an industry collective, and operating at a continental rather than national scale.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Impact AI social profiles
Digital presenceImpact AI financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Impact AI leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Impact AI funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Impact AI M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Impact AI
What does Impact AI do?
Impact AI is a French non-profit association that operates a collective/think-and-do tank dedicated to responsible AI adoption in France. It sells organizational memberships granting access to thematic working groups (Responsible AI, Education, Environment, AI & Health, AI & Work), and delivers an ecosystem of knowledge resources, events, training, research publications, podcasts, and practical toolkits (including AI Act compliance kits and responsible AI tools libraries) for its 80+ member organizations.
Is Impact AI a public or private company?
Impact AI is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Impact AI founded?
Impact AI was founded in 2018. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Impact AI based?
Impact AI is headquartered in Issy-les Moulineaux, France, in the Europe region.
How does Impact AI make money?
One revenue line is on record: membership fees.
Who are Impact AI's main competitors?
AlgorithmWatch is listed as a regional player. Direct peers are Partnership on AI, Global Partnership on AI (GPAI), Future of Life Institute, AI Now Institute, Data & Society, Responsible AI Institute and Montreal AI Ethics Institute. Broad incumbents are OECD AI Policy Observatory and European AI Alliance.
Does Impact AI have an API?
No public API is recorded for Impact AI.
What industry is Impact AI in?
Impact AI's product category is Responsible AI Collective / AI Ethics Think Tank. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAEAHAJ, Responsible AI, AI Governance & Compliance Services, with a secondary code of HDAAAMAG, Responsible AI Policy, Controls & Workflow Management. Its NAICS code is 8133.