Published: 06/08/2026
Customer Success Stories
Generative AI: this initiative by the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region that has won over staff
Over the past few years, the region has rolled out a structured strategy to integrate artificial intelligence. The result: 1,000 staff trained and 84 use cases identified across its public services.
In 2023, with generative AI having burst onto the public scene in recent months, the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region has chosen to use it as a driver of administrative performance. The HarmonIA project, carried out in partnership with Inetum, enables the region to adopt a structured approach: engaging the entire organisation (8,000 staff members, twelve departments), providing training and fostering the development of practical applications, rather than allowing AI to be implemented without a clear framework.
Two years on, it is time to scale up. “There were a lot of misconceptions and fears surrounding the subject,” recall officials at the Regional Council. Before we can talk about automation, we need to talk about understanding. The onboarding programme, designed in collaboration with Inetum, is based on three pillars. Firstly, a shared glossary to ensure all staff speak the same language. Secondly, the roll-out of Microsoft Copilot to prevent the unmonitored use of ChatGPT and the risk of data leaks. Finally, training in prompting via webinars and a dedicated e-learning platform.
Two years on, it is time to scale up. “There were a lot of misconceptions and fears surrounding the subject,” recall officials at the Regional Council. Before we can talk about automation, we need to talk about understanding. The onboarding programme, designed in collaboration with Inetum, is based on three pillars. Firstly, a shared glossary to ensure all staff speak the same language. Secondly, the roll-out of Microsoft Copilot to prevent the unmonitored use of ChatGPT and the risk of data leaks. Finally, training in prompting via webinars and a dedicated e-learning platform.
Copilot rather than ChatGPT
“The idea was to show what AI could do… but also its limitations,” explains Lilian Lapalu. Three webinars are held throughout the year (covering fundamental concepts, the art of prompting, and societal and environmental issues), with nearly 1,000 participants out of the 2,000 targeted staff members, including 300 attending in person. A weekly newsletter features testimonials from staff who use AI on a daily basis. The e-learning platform, customised by Inetum to reflect the realities of the civil service, offers videos, quizzes and content accessible to users of all levels.
The programme’s success is also down to the choice of speakers capable of explaining complex topics such as cybersecurity in layman’s terms using real-life examples. Inetum’s contributions, delivered by speakers who are just as at ease addressing an executive committee as they are speaking to staff new to the subject, have struck a chord. At the end of the year, an ‘Innovation Month’ combining games and workshops extended the change management initiative.
84 AI use cases identified
The impact extends beyond training. In some teams, AI has fostered a sense of collective momentum: staff share their prompts, exchange tips, and some have created libraries of common queries. Copilot has become part of the daily routine for a large proportion of the workforce.
The next stage is already underway. With support from Inetum on data collection and prioritisation, the region has identified 84 concrete use cases across eleven departments, such as the automated verification of IBANs for grant applications. Between five and nine of these will be rolled out in 2026, according to a matrix weighing up impact, effort and political priorities. The roll-out phase is scheduled for 2027.
A marathon, not a sprint
The regional authority is adopting a gradual approach, rather than seeking the ‘wow’ factor of a spectacular but isolated use case. “The European AI Act encourages organisations to manage the use of artificial intelligence rather than simply be at its mercy.” Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes has chosen to understand it first.
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