Air Liquide and École normale supérieure launch AI for chemistry research chair
- Air Liquide and the École normale supérieure created the "Artificial intelligence for chemistry and through chemistry" research chair.
- It is the first research chair launched within normalesup.ai, which was started in January 2026.
- Research will target AI models that reduce data requirements, incorporate physico‑chemical laws, and support discovery of new molecules and materials.
- The chair will train students, doctoral candidates and early‑career researchers at the intersection of AI and chemistry.
Overview
Air Liquide, the École normale supérieure (ENS‑PSL) and the ENS Foundation have created the "Artificial intelligence for chemistry and through chemistry" research chair, the first chair launched as part of normalesup.ai.
Normalesup.ai, launched in January 2026, is an interdisciplinary ENS initiative bringing together expertise across mathematics, computer science, physics, chemistry, biology, cognitive sciences and the humanities to develop fundamental AI research and training.
Research objectives
The chair will develop new AI models by combining recent advances in machine learning with fundamental chemical knowledge. Research priorities include reducing data requirements, building models grounded in physico‑chemical laws, and encouraging the discovery of new molecules and materials.
Talent and training
Beyond scientific aims, the chair is intended to train a new generation of talent—students, doctoral candidates and early‑career researchers—situated at the crossroads of AI and chemistry.
Strategic rationale
Air Liquide describes AI as a key transformation driver across its value chain and views the chair as strengthening collaboration with ENS to accelerate development of technologies for industry, electronics and healthcare. ENS leadership says the chair exemplifies normalesup.ai's interdisciplinary mission, will generate new knowledge, train talent and bolster independent French research and its international standing.
Source: Air Liquide
