Event Profile

CAIA France - The AI Boom: Power, Data centers, and Expanding Use Cases

Date(s):
April 9, 2025
Note:
All times listed are in local time
Venue:
BNP Paribas
5 Bd Haussmann
France, 75009 
Fee(s):
Free Event
Description:

CAIA France
The AI Boom: Power, Data centers, and Expanding Use Cases

CAIA Association is hosting a panel discussion in collaboration with BNP Paribas Asset Management, to explore the AI momentum and how artificial intelligence has become a key theme in public and private markets with the impact of hardware suppliers and the democratization of Generative AI. 

The computational needs for AI R&D and delivery require vast amounts of energy. Recent deals from hyperscalers and VC investment have reinforced the case for nuclear energy as part of the solution to scale up AI. An expert from the nuclear industry will provide some insights into the New Nuclear (Small Modular Reactors, …).

HPC (High Performance Computing), AI training and AI inference are bringing new needs to be addressed by the digital infrastructure industry. We will explore opportunities with investors involved in the development and financing of data centers.

Beyond enthusiastic growth expectations, we will try to grasp the base case for AI adoption (current and future use cases) with a practitioner of digital transformation and an innovation investor.
 
This event will be held in French. 
 

AGENDA 

18:30 - Registration

19:00 - Opening remarks by Gabriele Balagna CAIA, CAIA France Chapter Head

19:05 - Keynote presentation on "Energy infrastructure: A primer on the New Nuclear" by Thibault Louvet, Marketing and New Nuclear Director at Orano

19:20 - Panel Discussion on "Trends in AI Data Infrastructure, AI adoption and the paths for AI innovation" in collaboration with:
  • Nicolas Demyharang - Infrastructure Debt, Investment Director at BNP Paribas Asset Management
  • Edouard Legrand - Head of Digital Data and Innovation CoE at BNP Paribas Asset Management
  • Audrey Soussan - General Partner at Ventech
  • Pauline Thomson - Managing Director Infrastructure, Head of Data Science at Ardian
Moderator:
Laurent Bademian CFA, CAIA - CAIA Chapter France Emeritus, Senior Investment Manager & CIO Alts at Orano

20:15 - Q&A

20:20 - Networking cocktail

Please register early as space is limited 

Important notes before the event:

  • This event will be held in French
  • This event is organized by dedicated CAIA members, who generously volunteer their personal time. Should you decide to register, we greatly appreciate your commitment to attending.
  • If you find that you are unable to attend, please inform us at least 48 hours before the event. Your timely cancellations enable us to offer your spot to someone on the waitlist and help minimize food and energy waste
  • Kindly note that registrations must be completed in advance, as walk-ins will not be permitted. Given the event's limited capacity, we encourage you to register as early as possible to secure your spot. If the attendance limit is expanded, we will promptly notify you.
  • Registering a guest is possible but complete Guest’s details must be filled in. In case of overbooking, priority will be given to CAIA Members.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

If you have questions or concerns regarding registration for this event, please contact CAIA EMEA Chapter Relations.

      This event is organized in collaboration with:

   

 

                 

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BNP Paribas
Laurent Bademian
Job Title: Senior Investment Manager & CIO Alternative Investments
Organization: Orano
Speaker Type: Moderator


Laurent Bademian, CFA, CAIA, is the Senior Investment Manager and Chief Investment Officer (CIO) of Alternative Investments at Orano, an industrial group specializing in nuclear materials. Since joining Orano in 2012, he has been responsible for global asset allocation and managing private investment programs related to financing long-term liabilities. ​ Prior to his tenure at Orano, Laurent served as a financial analyst at EURODIF (part of the Orano Group) from 2002 to 2012, focusing on investment management, corporate finance, and international litigation. ​ Laurent holds a Bachelor's degree in Finance from Université Paris-Dauphine (1997) and an MBA in Finance from Baruch College's Zicklin School of Business (1999). He earned the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) designation in 2008 and the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation in 2015. ​ In addition to his role at Orano, Laurent has been actively involved with the CAIA Association.


Nicolas Demyharang
Job Title: Infrastructure Debt, Investment Director
Organization: BNP Paribas Asset Management
Speaker Type: Panelist


Nicolas Demyharang is an Investment Director in the Infrastructure Debt team at BNP Paribas Asset Management, a position he has held since September 2021. He brings over six years of experience in infrastructure equity and investment banking. Before joining BNP Paribas Asset Management, Nicolas worked at Swiss Life Asset Managers from June 2017 to May 2021 as an Investment Manager. In this role, he was responsible for executing transactions and managing direct infrastructure equity investments across various sectors in Europe and North America. Prior to that, he started his career at HSBC Global Banking and Markets, where he worked as an M&A Analyst from January 2015 to March 2017. During this time, he was involved in the origination and execution of mergers and acquisitions transactions, collaborating with leading private equity firms and strategic players in Europe. Nicolas holds a Master's degree in Corporate Finance from EDHEC Business School. He is currently based in Paris, France.


Edouard Legrand
Job Title: Head of Digital Data and Innovation CoE
Organization: BNP Paribas Asset Management
Speaker Type: Panelist


Edouard Legrand is the Chief Digital Officer at BNP Paribas Asset Management, where he leads the Digital, Data, and Innovation Center of Excellence. In this role, he is responsible for developing applications and websites for BNP employees, analyzing sales trends, and implementing digital solutions to optimize the company's operations. With 15 years of experience in asset management, Edouard is recognized as a results-oriented professional. He holds a degree from Audencia Business School and is currently based in Paris, France.


Audrey Soussan
Job Title: General Partner
Organization: Ventech
Speaker Type: Panelist


Audrey Soussan is a General Partner at Ventech, a global early-stage venture capital firm, where she focuses on investments in RetailTech, HRTech, and SaaS sectors. She joined Ventech in 2011 and has played a key role in supporting companies from Seed to Series A stages. Before joining Ventech, Audrey gained venture capital experience at DN Capital in London. She holds degrees from Université Paris Dauphine and ESSEC Business School. In addition to her work at Ventech, she is a Co-Managing Director at StartHer, an organization dedicated to empowering women in technology. Audrey is also actively involved in initiatives like France Digitale and StartHer, reinforcing her commitment to fostering diversity in the European tech ecosystem.


Pauline Thomson
Job Title: Managing Director Infrastructure, Head of Data Science
Organization: Ardian
Speaker Type: Panelist


Pauline Thomson is the Managing Director of Infrastructure and Head of Data Science at Ardian, a leading global private investment house. She joined Ardian in 2011, having previously gained experience through internships at AXA Private Equity in Paris and Terra Firma Capital Partners Ltd. in London. In her current role, Pauline leads Ardian’s data science initiatives, integrating advanced analytics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence to enhance investment strategies, risk management, and operational efficiencies. Under her leadership, Ardian has developed tools such as GAIA, a generative AI platform, and Trustview, the firm's investor portal. She also serves on the boards of several Ardian portfolio companies, including Wintics in France, Míla in Iceland, and Verne Global in the UK. Pauline holds a Master’s degree in Politics and Finance from Sciences Po Paris.