Services

Scientific responsibilities, academic expertise, and initiatives serving research communities and society.

Academic leadership and evaluation

Current academic responsibilities

  • Head of IFRI’s software engineering department since 2022.
  • Coordinator of bachelor’s and master’s programs in software engineering, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, embedded systems and the internet of things, and internet and multimedia.
  • First head of the IFRI Committee on Professional Conduct and Ethics.

PhD thesis evaluation

Participation in the evaluation of doctoral research in artificial intelligence, computer science, and their application domains.

  1. A robust and interpretable AI framework for the histopathological diagnosis of infectious skin diseases: the SINDI approach validated on mycetomaMerveille Santi Zinsou · Gaston Berger University of Saint-Louis, Senegal · 2026 · Thesis reviewer
  2. Topic modeling for viewpoint detection in a Wolof–French corpusAbdoulaye Déthié Sarr · Alioune Diop University of Bambey, Senegal · 2026 · Examiner
  3. Advanced modelling and search techniques for routing and scheduling problemsCharles Thomas · UCLouvain — Louvain School of Engineering, Belgium · 2023 · Jury member

Other academic responsibilities

  • Contribution, since 2015, to the design, drafting, and validation of several academic programs: IFRI bachelor’s and master’s programs in artificial intelligence, software engineering, cybersecurity, and internet and multimedia, as well as the National Water Institute’s master’s program in hydroinformatics;
  • Participation in PhD progress reviews and doctoral monitoring committees;
  • Member or chair of numerous bachelor’s, master’s, and engineering thesis defense committees since 2014;
  • Coordinator of master’s programs in software engineering, cybersecurity, and information systems and computer networks, January 2019–July 2022;
  • Coordinator of third-year software engineering and cybersecurity teaching groups, January–December 2018;
  • Contribution in 2018 to drafting and validating the project to create a center of excellence in water and sanitation, as IFRI’s representative for Hydroinformatics;

Scientific expertise and public policy

Expert assignments and contributions

  • 2026:
    • AI and digital expert to the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research for the development of the national digital education strategy.
    • Contribution to the development of UAC’s Artificial Intelligence Strategy (SIAUAC), AI ethics framework, and ethics charter for the use of AI at UAC.
  • 2025:
    • Development of a guide and training for evidence-ecosystem stakeholders on the use of AI.
  • 2024:
    • Contribution to the feasibility study for Benin's national artificial intelligence and big data strategy.
  • 2023:
    • Contribution to mapping Benin's artificial intelligence ecosystem.
  • 2022:
    • Contribution to the national AI and big data strategy of Benin.
    • Contribution to the development of a regional cybersecurity skills-building policy under the OCWAR-C programme (Organised Crime: West African Response on Cybersecurity and Fight against Cybercrime).
    • Expert for the “Artificial Intelligence for Finance” continuing education programme: contribution to its establishment and member of its teaching team, Sèmè City and Sorbonne University.
    • Artificial intelligence and digital entrepreneurship expert on the programme committee: contribution to organizing Benin’s Digital Entrepreneurship and Artificial Intelligence Fair (SENIA).
  • 2021:
    • Artificial intelligence and technology expert: contribution to the development of the strategic and operational plans for Burkina Faso’s Presidential Innovation Center for Human Capital.

Member of the Association for Constraint Programming and scientific committees including CP, JFPC, and CARI.

Scientific initiatives, communities, and events

FRIARE Fondation/Association

Since 2023 I served as president of the FRIARE association for responsible and efficient artificial intelligence, dedicated to awareness, research, public dialogue on the responsible use of AI in Africa.

Benin Workshop on Artificial Intelligence

I am the General Chair of the Benin Workshop on Artificial Intelligence. I have contributed to five editions since 2018 as General co-Chairman. This national conference brings together researchers, students, professionals, and public-sector stakeholders around artificial intelligence in Benin.

Summer School on Artificial Intelligence

I am a member of the teaching team and a speaker at the Summer School on Artificial Intelligence (EEIA). I also chair the selection committee for the EEIA Grand Prize. Since 2022.

ACP Summer School 2025

I served as general chair of the 20th ACP Summer School in 2025, the first African edition of this international constraint programming school.

Mify Artificial Intelligence Contest

From 2017 to 2022, I chaired the competition committee for six editions of the Mify Artificial Intelligence Contest, an international competition designed to develop practical skills in artificial intelligence and problem solving.

Other community engagements

  • Member of the association Benin Talent Pool (BTP) and the Club DSI Bénin ;
  • Founder and coordinator of Startup Grind University of Abomey-Calavi, 2020–2021;
  • Curator of the Cotonou Hub of the Global Shapers Community, 2018–2019;
  • Co-founder and chief executive officer of Machine Intelligence For You (MIFY), August 2017–September 2018.