Corporate Social Responsibility

The rapid expansion of AI brings with it significant challenges in terms of carbon footprint and energy consumption. Although our solutions are relatively sober to date, immoderate use of AI and large language models (LLMs) could quickly generate a significant carbon footprint and prohibitive energy costs. Implementing these LLMs requires heavy computing infrastructures, with significant environmental impacts, particularly in terms of energy consumption, but also, directly or indirectly, of water and scarce resources. 

To limit these impacts, we favour an eco-responsible approach by adopting the most frugal language models and techniques possible, capable of meeting the specific needs of our projects without any loss of quality. We also keep a close eye on the quality metrics of comparative studies, as well as the various hardware requirements, particularly GPUs, for operating the systems under study.

We are committed to developing a policy of digital sobriety in all our projects. To achieve this, we favour simple, efficient technological solutions that are Open Source wherever possible, to limit the use of IT resources and reduce the creation of unnecessary data. 

We also choose our suppliers and partners carefully and responsibly, prioritising infrastructures located in France or Europe, thereby limiting our carbon footprint and the production and distribution channels for the data we generate. 

At the same time, we protect the content of our partners (publishers, institutions), by preventing unauthorised use by external entities.

We scrupulously comply with the standards in force, particularly those aimed at regulating artificial intelligence (AI Act), reinforcing our position as a player committed to ethical and sustainable AI. 

For several years now, we have also been working to improve the accessibility of the content we distribute, by anticipating the various deadlines imposed at European and national level, and by collaborating with all the players concerned (public authorities, inter-professional unions, partner publishers).

In keeping with our mutualist identity, we recognise the importance of involving all our employees in the deployment of an ambitious societal and environmental policy that meets today's challenges, as well as our many partners (publishers, libraries, authors, etc.). 

The aim of this mobilisation is to create a corporate culture geared towards a more responsible digital environment, in response to growing concerns about the ecological impact of the tools we use and the practices we develop.

In an age of fake news, untraceable sources and the increasing use of AI tools for collecting and editing scientific publications, we are committed to promoting the dissemination of independent, high-quality scientific productions, while encouraging the discoverability of content. Without denying the existence and interest of the technological solutions available or being developed, we seek to promote the reasoned use of technologies in the service of free and critical thought.

As a company with a mission, Cairn.info places social and environmental responsibility at the heart of its activities. In a context where artificial intelligence and digital technologies are playing an increasingly important role, our commitment to sustainable and ethical management has been a pillar of our identity and approach from the outset. The alliance between the dissemination of knowledge and the preservation of the planet is thus affirmed as a central objective of our action.