New Short Course on Digital Technology: Technical Issues, Ethical Challenges, and Societal Impacts
Digital technology, often perceived as intangible, has growing environmental, economic, and soci
al impacts, amplified by the development of artificial intelligence
and related infrastructure.
Between innovation, resource consumption, and energy challenges, it raises many paradoxes.
This short training course helps participants understand the challenges and limitations involved, while emphasizing practical recommendations and actionable solutions for taking action—both individually and collectively—as part of a commitment to sustainable development and social responsibility.
Organized by Polytech Montpellier, the first session of this short course will take place on Thursday, June 11, 2026(7 hours of in-person training) at the Polytech campus.
Objective
This training program aims to educate decision-makers on digital issues (AI, data centers, software, etc.) in the context of economic, environmental, and societal transitions.
Key Skills
- Understanding Digital Systems: Mastering Their Overall Functioning, Their Complexity, and the Connections Between Data, AI, and Infrastructure.
- Analysis of Technical Issues: Identifying technological and energy-related limitations, as well as challenges associated with data centers and high-performance computing.
- Impact Assessment: Measuring the Environmental, Economic, and Societal Effects of Digital Technology.
- Critical thinking and responsibility: questioning current practices, embracing digital moderation, and applying the principles of responsible digital use.
- Transformation and Strategic Alignment: Supporting organizational transformation by aligning technology decisions with business, sustainability, and sovereignty objectives.
Target Audience
Stakeholders in the socioeconomic sector (businesses, local governments, elected officials, nonprofit organizations, etc.)
Prerequisites: This training course has no prerequisites.
Teaching Staff
Michel ROBERT
Professor at the University of Montpellier, Polytech Montpellier, and LIRMM; a recognized expert on digital infrastructure and its environmental impact.
As the former director of CINES, he oversaw world-class high-performance computing infrastructures. He heads the REINE Chair (Responsibility, Impacts, and Ethics of Digital Technologies), a joint initiative between the ISIA Group and Polytech Montpellier.
His research focuses on computer architectures, with an emphasis on energy efficiency, AI, data centers, and responsible digital technology. He is also involved with several academic institutions.
Fabienne AMADORI
Co-President of ISIA, an Hérault-based IT firm specializing in supporting companies’ digital transformation.
She is also First Vice President of
, the development and transition agency of
Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole.
Loric RIVIÈRE
As Director of Production at the ISIA Group, he is responsible for defining the technical stack and engineering methods.
He serves as a technical architect and ensures the
quality of projects by ensuring consistency in
technological choices and architectures.
He ensures that principles of performance,
robustness, and digital simplicity are incorporated into the developed
solutions.
Training Session
A training session is scheduled for this year:
- Thursday, June 11, 2026(7 hours of in-person training) at Polytech Montpellier, Triolet Campus.
- Price: €950 (including tax)
Are you interested in this training course?
Applications, administrative and academic questions: contact sfc-polytech@umontpellier.fr
