In a partnership, Atos and Thales have announced the creation of Athéa, a company that will aim to develop a platform around big data and AI for players in the defence, security and intelligence sectors. The tool should address public and private actors. With this creation, these two companies wish to take advantage of their experience acquired in the demonstration phase of ARTEMIS, the Big Data platform of the Ministry of the Armed Forces.

The partnership between Atos and Thalès for the creation of Athéa

Atos and Thalès decided to help government agencies better manage their large volumes of data by accelerating the development of new AI solutions, noting the proliferation of information sources and the demands of government agencies for rapid response.

The two companies have founded Athéa, a company whose objective will be to pool the skills, expertise and investments of these two technology players to respond more effectively to the market’s innovation needs. Marc Darmon, Executive Vice President, Secure Information and Communication Systems at Thales, said:

“This joint venture between Thales and Atos underlines each party’s commitment to supporting their customers’ digital transformation with a French technology solution that combines innovation and security to process massive volumes of heterogeneous data. Together, we will capitalize on our respective expertise to provide the best solutions in the fields of big data and artificial intelligence.”

The two companies are since April 30, 2021, joint holders of the optimization and preparation of the industrialization of the program, notified by the Directorate General of Armaments (DGA).

A solution to process Big Data more easily

Athéa’s main goal will be to develop secure solutions and open and modular technological building blocks to encourage collaboration and stimulate the industrial and sovereign ecosystem, in conjunction with the Defence Digital Agency. To achieve this, it will rely on several research organizations specialized in big data and AI as well as on large companies, SMEs and start-ups familiar with the field.

Athéa’s aim is to offer a solution capable of exploiting sensitive data on a national scale in a secure manner. The firm will offer expertise, consulting and training services and will implement its tools within the government programs concerned. Pierre Barnabé, SEVP, Director of Big Data and Cybersecurity at Atos, said of the creation of the new firm to meet the needs of the field:

“Processing sensitive data has become a sovereignty issue for states. Athea combines the skills of two major defense and digital players with the flexibility of a dedicated structure to bring a high capacity to innovate and stimulate the industrial and defense ecosystem – including innovative startups – to meet the needs of the various ministries and other players in the sector. The creation of this joint company between Atos and Thales will combine an excellent knowledge of the defence challenges of the various European states and an openness to the latest innovations in big data and artificial intelligence.”

Athéa will initially focus on the French market. Eventually, it will aim to serve the various European markets.

Translated from Atos et Thalès créent Athéa, entreprise spécialisée dans les solutions big data pour la défense