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Alain Juillet speaks at SKEMA on economic and strategic intelligence
Alain Juillet, former director of France’s General Directorate for External Security (DGSE) and later appointed as the senior official in charge of economic intelligence under the Prime Minister until 2009, recently gave a talk at our Grand Paris campus. His lecture was aimed at students and alumni of the MSc International Strategy and Influence programme.
Alain Juillet, a recognised expert in economic intelligence and a former high-ranking official responsible for economic intelligence within the French government, has held leadership positions in major companies. His expertise is often sought by the media and academic institutions. It was in this context that he gave a lecture on 27 September to students and alumni of the , led by its director Christophe Bisson.
Rapid evolution of practices
During his lecture, Alain Juillet addressed several crucial topics, including the rapid evolution of practices in economic and strategic intelligence (ESI) due to the explosion of data volume and the necessary reliance on AI and, more broadly, on machines. In his remarks, he emphasised the growing importance of artificial intelligence (AI) in reducing uncertainty during decision-making.
The human at the heart of the machine
While the role of the machine in the intelligence cycle has increased, the former high-ranking official stressed the importance of maintaining a human component in data collection and analysis, as well as in decision-making. Some areas, he pointed out, "require greater human involvement." According to him, a purely defensive approach to ESI is insufficient. Quoting the adage, "There are no impregnable fortresses, only poorly attacked ones," he emphasised that businesses and nations should adopt an offensive approach, constantly challenged and augmented by AI.
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