Total launches ‘Digital Factory’ in Paris as it looks to reduce its environmental impact

French petroleum major Total SA (EPA:FP, NYSE:TOT) has launched a new ‘digital factory’ in Paris as it seeks to reduce its environmental impact and open itself to potential new businesses.

The company, which has been partnered with Google in regards to the use of artificial intelligence, said it would hire up to 300 developers, data scientists and other tech experts in early 2020 in order to accelerate its “digital transformation”.

A 5,500 square metre facility will host these experts who, under the management of Total’s chief digital officer Frédéric Gimenez, will work with professionals across the company’s various businesses.

Total said that the ‘factory’ would be aimed at improving the group’s operations, in terms of availability and cost, as well as develop new services to customers.

Specifically, the company highlighted that a focus area would be managing and controlling energy consumption, along with an extension of its reach into new distributed energies.

It wants to generate up to US$1.5bn of revenue per year by 2025 via such new streams, along with reduced operating expenses and investment expenses.

Total chief executive Patrick Pouyanné described digital technology as “a critical driver” for the company.

“Total’s Digital Factory will serve as an accelerator, allowing the Group to systematically deploy customized digital solutions,” Pouyanne said.

“Artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT) and 5G are revolutionizing our industrial practices, and we will have the know-how in Paris to integrate them in our businesses as early as possible.

“The Digital Factory will also attract the new talent essential to our company’s future.”

Story by ProactiveInvestors