Francis Bach (X1994), a researcher in machine learning and optimization, is a research director at Inria within the computer science department of the École normale supérieure. Since 2011, he has led the SIERRA team, a joint unit of Inria, CNRS, and ENS. A member of the French Academy of Sciences since 2020, his work focuses on statistical learning, optimization, sparse methods, and neural networks.
As part of his AI2050 project, Francis Bach will develop an external audit system to verify that actions performed by artificial intelligence agents comply with safety rules. This project aims to evaluate and ensure the reliability of increasingly autonomous AI systems.
Romain Lopez (X2013), a 2016 graduate of École Polytechnique, is a professor of computer science and biology at New York University, where he leads the Biological Machine Learning group. His research lies at the intersection of machine learning and computational biology, focusing on single-cell genomics, generative models, and cellular mechanisms.
His AI2050 project aims to develop artificial intelligence systems capable of guiding the selection of next experiments in cell engineering. The goal is to contribute to the design of therapeutic T cells for treating autoimmune diseases.
The AI2050 program, created and co-chaired by Eric Schmidt and James Manyika, brings together international researchers to consider how artificial intelligence can benefit society by 2050. It distinguishes two categories of Fellows: Senior Fellows, established researchers supporting ambitious projects, and Early Career Fellows, early-career researchers receiving financial support and mentorship.
The 2026 cohort includes 28 researchers worldwide, receiving a total of $16 million over three years from Schmidt Sciences. The selection of Francis Bach and Romain Lopez highlights the diversity of backgrounds and generations of École Polytechnique alumni engaged in AI advancements and the study of its scientific and societal implications.
