ENGLISH TEXTS ring partner in many sports, including horse racing.“ Humans must stay in control,” warns the French data protection agency CNIL. And most racing professionals interviewed, even those already using AI, insist that“ nothing can( fully) replace the human eye.” Caught between progress and threat, March 14, 2023, will be remembered. It marked the launch of ChatGPT’ s new version, already surpassed by DeepSeek. For many experts, it was the dawn of the digital Big Bang. The“ hI hA” of horse racing.
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By Mégane Martins
“ AT THE EVE OF THE MARKET”: A MEETING WITH FRENCH-BASED PÔLE HIPPOLIA CLUSTER
The only competitiveness cluster in France dedicated to the equine industry, the Pôle Hippolia aims to position the French equine sector as one of the world leaders in innovation. Artificial intelligence is naturally at the heart of its actions and concerns, and Inès Savarieau( Director) and Thibault Delattre( Project Manager and Head of International Affairs), paint a picture of AI within an evolving sector.
GALORAMA. What is AI?
Inès Savarieau and Thibault Delattre.
AI, or Artificial Intelligence, is the ability of machines to perform tasks and exhibit reasoning typically associated with human intelligence. It involves the ability to process vast amounts of information, organize it, and interpret it logically. AI has existed for many years, but the emergence of generative artificial intelligence has shone a spotlight on this technology thanks to its ability to create content based on human prompts.
G. Do you often work with project leaders who integrate AI into their products / services?
I. S. and T. D. We regularly see projects with AI-based solutions to bring to market, as well as well-established companies looking to enhance their services or products by incorporating AI. For example, some saddlers are now offering connected saddles. However, funding the technical expertise needed for research and development- whether internal or via external service providers- remains a key challenge.
G. Which sector is most invested in AI?
I. S. and T. D. Health and performance are currently the sectors that rely most heavily on AI, particularly through performance analysis tools and systems to help detect health issues- two closely linked aspects. But the marketing and communication sector is also booming, especially in enhancing user experience through augmented reality, sports betting, tracking, etc.
G. How do you support these companies?
I. S. and T. D. We provide them with in-depth knowledge of the equine industry and connect them with research teams or technical platforms, such as the IFCE( French Institute for Horse and Riding), that can test their products. We support them in structuring their projects, regardless of their stage of development, as well as in financing and selecting the right business model.
G. What are the prospects for AI in the equine industry?
I. S. and T. D. There’ s real potential for growth, but adoption of these solutions can be difficult due to pricing. AI can be applied in many areas, and numerous project leaders are currently working on very promising products and services. The biggest challenge remains the economic aspect: having the resources needed to develop the technology and making it profitable in the long run.
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