Midway through “Foncsi 4”: Update on Strategic Analyses

Chapô introductif

The “Foncsi 4” program, running from 2023 to 2027, is now at its midpoint. The end of 2025 is therefore an opportunity to review the three analyses already completed or underway, as well as upcoming work.

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Three initial strategic analyses… and more

As planned in “Foncsi 4”, the Foundation conducted three strategic analyses during the first part of the program, one of which is completed (or nearly so). The other two are well advanced.

Safety, skills and careers by 2040

This strategic analysis began at the end of 2023, following a robust working model: a main strategic analysis and two sectoral working groups (“clusters”), one on construction and the other on energy services.

After conducting a literature review on the topic and identifying international experts, Foncsi organized an academic seminar in November 2024. The findings were then analyzed and compared with industrial practices. The results were presented at a feedback seminar in May 2025. Various publications — a book with Springer and an “Industrial Safety Cahier” (Notebook) — are being finalized and should be published soon.

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Safety practices and the digital transition

The strategic analysis on digital transition began in 2024. A substantial literature review led to the publication, at the beginning of 2025, of an “Industrial Safety Notebook” providing an overview of the topic: Artificial intelligence and safety management. An overview of key challenges.

On this subject as well, international experts were identified and invited to participate in an academic seminar scheduled for December 2-4. The feedback seminar presenting all results will take place at the end of Q1 2026, and the collective scholarly book with Springer will also be produced next year.

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New safety champions

The strategic analysis on new champions also started in 2024. A specific working model was implemented, with a main strategic analysis and a sectoral working group focused on railways.

The various meetings of the two groups, including expert hearings, significantly advanced the work on the topic. The international academic seminar will be held soon, from December 17-19. By the end of H1 2026, the analysis results will be presented at a feedback seminar, and publications will be produced throughout next year.

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Also: a working group and forward-looking reflection

A working group on NaTech risks was also established at the end of 2024. The group has met numerous times, interviewed experts, and is currently mapping industrial activities related to this theme. The work is expected to be completed in the coming months, with an “Industrial Safety Cahier” (Notebook) to be published.

Finally, last but not least, the entire Foncsi team has been conducting since 2024 an in-depth reflection on the future of safety. They published a “Cahier”, Industrial safety in the age of “living with”. Uncertainty, complexity and rising expectations, and organized several discussion workshops around this publication with international experts. A day of workshops and forward-looking discussions with Foncsi’s patrons and partners was also held in March 2025. The Foundation team is currently finalizing an academic book with Springer on this subject, which will be published in two volumes next year.

Upcoming work in “Foncsi 4”

While much has already been accomplished, the end of 2025 marks the start of the program’s second phase. Three new strategic analyses will begin very soon on the following topics: