Francois Pachet, Research Director

Sony Computer Science Laboratory
Launched in Paris in October 1996, Sony Computer Science Laboratory brings together internationally renowned researchers. The goal is to combine their efforts to create new technologies that could bring about fundamental changes within our society. The research programs conducted at Sony Computer Science Laboratory cover areas as vast as artificial intelligence, new programming languages, the interface between man and machine. Through their research, these passionate scientists from all over the world help to shape the world in which we live tomorrow.

Why did you decide to launch Sony CSL in Paris?

Sony CSL is divided between Paris and Tokyo. Sony CSL Paris was established in 1996 based on the Sony CSL Tokyo model, implemented 10 years ago. The choice to locate our research laboratory in central Paris was mainly due to the possibility for us to have a network of excellence close by: the institutional edge such as universities, with the presence of world-renowned public and private research centers, as well as the most prestigious French universities and business schools (Normale Sup, Paris VI…)…in the center of Paris! 

Why did Sony CSL join Cap Digital’s innovative cluster?

The innovative clusters in general and especially Cap Digital’s cluster today foster excellent networks, promote development and merge synergies between the means and the know-how. The originality of this policy is the association of scientific innovations (as based on R&D) and organization innovations. The fact that Sony CSL joined Cap Digital allows us to integrate into an excellent research network.

What are Cap Digital advantages for Sony CSL?

As I mentioned earlier, belonging to Cap Digital’s innovative cluster allows Sony CSL in a way to “formalize” its relations with other businesses and it gives us a structured framework for our projects with specific objectives and constraints. Currently, we are working on several projects (THD, EarToy), at national and European levels. The Cap Digital cluster creates the project infrastructure and facilitates the coalition of different skills. In addition, being in Cap Digital’s cluster membership allows us to benefit from financial aid and grants.   

• More information on Sony CSL
• More information on the Cap Digital cluster