3 QUESTIONS TO ARNAUD LEPINOIS, ECLAIRION CEO
Q How is modularity shaping the future of data centers?
Arnaud Lépinois: The modularity of our design and our agility allows us to constantly rethink how data centers are built. Traditional providers construct facilities based on known hyperscaler specifications. At Eclairion, we do the opposite: we create bespoke hardware environments for each client because their supercomputers and AI workloads require fundamentally different architectures. Standard designs simply don’t work. This is why R&D sits at the heart of our model. We work directly with chip manufacturers to build solutions that perfectly fit the needs of our customers. With machines evolving every 18 months, legacy designs are irrelevant: we must build the next generation from scratch.
Q A word about Mistral AI who chose Eclairion to host its first data center in France?
AL: Europe has found a true champion in Mistral AI, one of the few companies able to keep pace with the R&D demands of generative AI. Their constrained resources have forced them to innovate smarter: lean architecture, efficient designs, and a strong commitment to open source. Instead of pursuing mass-market AI, they focus on B2B use cases. We’re delighted to work with them. Together, we aim to build a European ecosystem capable of competing internationally. France offers decisive advantages : decarbonised power in surplus capacity, a resilient grid, and exceptional engineering talent. Mistral and Eclairion form one of the only fully European players able to sustain this technological race in the years ahead.
Q How do you see your collaboration with Omnes?
AL: We worked with Omnes from day one to rewrite the rules of digital infrastructure and set a new standard for how these assets are built. Together, we aim to deliver data centers that are faster to deploy, lower impact, and ready for an AI-driven decade. Omnes is a strategic partner in driving this next-generation model—fully aligned with Europe’s sustainability goals.
First published in Scope Winter 2025