Welcoming the Second Cohort of the MiM – Data Science & AI for Business track

EDHEC Business School welcomed the second cohort of the Master in Management – Data Science & AI for Business track at its Nice campus. Programme Director Victor Planas-Bielsa welcomed the new cohort, underlining the programme’s growing momentum and its mission to shape AI-ready business leaders. 

“This is the beginning of a year of hard work, discovery, and growth. Embrace every challenge, and push your limits. Today, it’s not enough to be only a good manager or to excel technically. The world needs leaders who can bring those two worlds together, using AI and data not because it’s fashionable, but to create real value and make a positive impact on society."
— Victor Planas-Bielsa, Programme Director

Now in its second year, the track continues to attract a highly international group of students eager to bridge the gap between data science, AI, and business strategy.

Strengthening the Partnership with Orange

The event highlighted the strong and growing collaboration with Orange, a key corporate partner of the programme. Orange brings invaluable industry perspective and access to real-world expertise, keeping the programme closely aligned with market needs, and offering students first-hand insights from professionals about how challenges are addressed in practice.

Another highlight of the session was the roundtable discussion: “The Future of Work: Essential Data and AI Skills”, moderated by Michelle Sisto, Associate Dean of the EDHEC AI Center, with expert speakers from Orange, Warner Music, BlackRock, Microsoft, and EDHEC Alumni.

Participants included:

•    David Mahieux, Warner (EDHEC Alumnus)
•    Alexandra Billon, BlackRock (EDHEC Alumna)
•    Pavel Matua, Microsoft
•    Didier Gaulthier,  Orange

Key themes included the need for strong technical fundamentals, with Python programming, databases, SQL, and mathematics remaining essential, but also the growing importance of business acumen and domain fluency. Panellists emphasised that tools alone are not enough; professionals must be able to interpret data, design solutions, and communicate their impact clearly.

The panel also shared career insights, encouraging students to embrace ambiguity, stay curious, and say yes to opportunities outside their comfort zones. As one speaker  noted, “Python and maths get you in the room; business understanding keeps you there.”

Shaping Responsible AI Leaders

A key focus of the programme is its emphasis on ethics and responsibility. Last year, students took part in the AI Ethical Challenge, a joint initiative promoted by Orange and EDHEC, working in teams to explore the societal impacts of AI systems and propose responsible solutions. The project highlighted the importance EDHEC places on educating AI-savvy leaders who are both technically proficient and ethically aware.

From Classroom to Industry

As the programme enters its second year, the mission remains clear: to develop technically skilled, ethically grounded professionals who can lead AI-driven transformation across industries. In collaboration with industry leaders like Orange and drawing on a growing alumni presence in top firms, EDHEC is equipping its students at the forefront of this fast-moving field.