How is Sanofi approaching the upskilling of its teams in a constantly changing world, particularly with the emergence of technologies such as AI?
In an environment of constant change and innovation, Sanofi invests in innovative training programmes that combine formal learning, personalised coaching and on-the-job experience.
My role is to develop more than 30,000 employees at our 40 industrial sites across 20 countries, to achieve Operational Excellence in the service of what we call the ‘Smart Factory’. We have delivered over half a million training sessions since 2016.
For the past 3 years, our main objective has been to accelerate our modernisation while increasing our accessibility and reliability by simplifying, standardising and digitalising our training offering for industrial populations. And it’s paying off! In 2024, we increased the productivity of our training programmes by 114%.
What are the main areas of application for AI at Sanofi, and how is this technology helping to transform your industry?
AI is an opportunity to accelerate drug discovery, improve clinical trial design and the production and supply of drugs and vaccines to get them to patients faster. It is also a catalyst that is enabling us to transform and rethink our operational processes. For example, we are using AI to improve forecasting accuracy, reduce production delays and improve the efficiency of global distribution.
AI is also a tremendous opportunity for upskilling our people. It offers unprecedented opportunities to improve educational content, learning methods and the personalisation of on-the-job training.
What is Sanofi doing to promote the inclusion of women in its tech teams, particularly in AI?
Sanofi is one of the top 25 companies in the world in terms of gender equality. Women currently account for 49% of the total workforce and will occupy 50% of our senior management positions by 2025.
We have put in place a number of measures, including gender-neutral paid parental leave. We also want to have an impact beyond our company. That’s why we have committed to doubling our spend on women-owned businesses founded or run by women by 2025.
We actively support gender diversity in our tech teams through mentoring programmes, leadership training, and partnerships with associations promoting women in AI. These actions aim to create an environment where every talent, regardless of gender, can contribute fully to our mission.
What does your commitment to JFD represent as a JFD Club member and what advice would you give to companies wishing to take part in responsible and inclusive AI?
My engagement with JFD started on day one! I’ve been an ambassador for over 10 years, ever since the first Digital Women’s Day (which became Join Forces & Dare in 2024). JFD reflects my belief that innovation should be inclusive and ethical. Joining this network enables us to share best practice and inspire a new generation of leaders.
For companies, I recommend transparency and education: make your teams aware of algorithmic biases and ensure that AI serves people first and foremost. Together, we can build a fairer digital future.
Karine Boullier, Global Head of Upskilling at Sanofi and JFD Club Member
A lawyer by training, Karine Boullier began her career at the Ministry of Labour before becoming a journalist.
After 5 years as Director of Research at Entreprise & Personnel, she joined Coca-Cola Entreprise, where she was successively responsible for change management, employee relations, corporate transformation and communications.
Karine then joined the Sanofi Group’s Corporate Communication Department, where she was responsible for transforming the Human Resources function, developing executive communication and finally heading up Communications for the Global Industrial Affairs Function. It is within this same organisation that she now heads up the Global Manufacturing & Supply Chain Upskilling team, responsible for supporting the modernization of industrial activities and developing the skills required for this change.
Karine Boullier is the author of several books on social dialogue and is a regular speaker at Sorbonne University on the subject of change management.
