IBM Digital Competitions

For three days, Pornichet becomes a full-scale testing ground where we envision the digital future.

From May 20 to 22, 2026, IBM, in partnership with Saint-Nazaire Agglomération and the City of Pornichet, will bring together students, educators, businesses, and public officials for the Digital Konkours. Through competitions and special events focused on artificial intelligence and generative AI, participants will discover how technology can address the region’s major industrial and environmental challenges.

On Wednesday, at Square Hervo, about twenty teams will design and test marine drones designed to clean water bodies. Visitors will witness the ingenuity of the projects, the effectiveness of the prototypes, and the use of AI to optimize recognition and performance. An event that’s as technical as it is spectacular, open to the public all day long.

On Thursday, head to the Pornichet Racetrack for a packed day of activities open to everyone. The “Carbobathon” challenges student teams to develop—with the help of an AI programming assistant—applications dedicated to decarbonizing industries in the Loire Estuary: a CO₂ dashboard, energy flow mapping, a maritime port call simulator, or an energy decision-making tool. In the afternoon, registration-based workshops delve into the details: data quality, resource-efficient AI, digital sovereignty… experts will explain these topics to help participants better understand the challenges and the balance that needs to be struck. The day continues with a fashion show created by students in the Professional Baccalaureate in Fashion Design program at Heinlex High School in Saint-Nazaire, blending textile design with generative AI, followed by a roundtable discussion on digital sovereignty and risk management.

On Friday morning, it’s the younger participants’ turn. Elementary and middle school students take part in their own challenges: tournaments, robotics, races, and AI workshops set the pace for the morning in a friendly atmosphere. In the afternoon, the finals and awards ceremony celebrate everyone’s commitment and creativity.

As the days go by, we move from reflection to action, from theory to demonstration. We exchange ideas, test concepts, learn, and above all, imagine together how digital technology can become a concrete driver of progress for the region and for the future.