Artificial Intelligence is no longer optional
It is strategic!

A conversation with Joel Pons, CEO of NowBrains, about the future of the Group and his vision of upcoming transformations in the IT and Artificial Intelligence sector. This interview outlines NowBrains’ strategy and its forward-looking approach to supporting SMEs, mid-sized companies, and non-profit organizations as they navigate AI-driven digital transformation.

Artificial Intelligence is now everywhere. How do you assess its true level of maturity within companies?

We are at a decisive turning point. Many organizations have experimented with AI through proof-of-concepts (POCs), and some have deployed AI agents into production environments. However, very few have fully grasped the long-term operational, strategic, and governance implications of these initiatives.

The real question is no longer “Should we adopt AI?” but rather: “How can we leverage AI without losing control?”.

Our conviction is clear: AI must not only be regulated — it must be governed. AI governance means supervising intelligent agents, controlling their behavior, ensuring cybersecurity, regulatory compliance, data protection, and long-term performance. This is exactly where NowBrains positions itself as a trusted AI governance and managed services partner.

NowBrains originates from managed IT services. Why is this model no longer sufficient?

Traditional IT outsourcing focused on maintaining infrastructure, endpoints, applications, and user support. That model is rapidly evolving. The modern Information System is no longer purely technical — it is cognitive.

It now integrates:

• AI agents,
• intelligent data flows,
• automated decision-making processes that directly impact business performance.

This evolution led us to formalize a new discipline: Managed AI services – what we call “AIGerance”.

IAgérance represents the convergence of managed IT services, strategic consulting, governance, cybersecurity, and Artificial Intelligence operations. It is a new operational model, and NowBrains is among the first European players to deploy it in a structured and industrialized way.

Has this ambition deeply transformed the Group?

Completely. We have initiated a structural, technological, and human transformation.

First, with NIA One, our sovereign AI hypervision platform. It was designed to supervise, govern, and secure agent-based AI systems operating in critical environments. NIA One enables organizations to manage augmented Information Systems with built-in mechanisms for control, traceability, compliance, cybersecurity, and performance monitoring.

Second, we structured specialized teams dedicated to:

• AI intégration et déployment,
• operational maintenance of AI agents,
• long terme Managed AI Services.

Finally, we are investing heavily in upskilling through NowSchool, our dedicated training institute. This AI revolution is not only technological — it is fundamentally human and organizational.

You often speak about a concrete market advantage. How is it reflected?

It is measurable. Today, approximately 90% of our revenue still comes from traditional managed IT services. However, we are actively preparing for the next growth phase driven by Artificial Intelligence and AI governance services.

By 2026, we aim to reach €25 million in revenue with a clear roadmap:

• Automate 30% of ticket resolution using Artificial Intelligence integrated into our NIA client support system,
• Improve the operational performance of our managed service contracts,
• Deliver sustainable cost optimization for our clients.

At the same time, we are accelerating the development of our Artificial Intelligence service portfolio, addressing our clients’ strategic priorities:

• AI maturity assessment including tailored training programs,
• Strategic AI consulting and roadmap development,
• Deployment of the NIA One hypervision platform,
• Packaged AI solutions for business functions, particularly intelligent customer service automation.

While many market players still discuss AI at a theoretical level, we deploy it, operate it, and govern it. This operational expertise provides a decisive competitive advantage in today’s tenders — and even more so in tomorrow’s AI-driven procurement landscape.

Where do you want to position NowBrains by 2030?

Our ambition is clear. By 2030, the NowBrains Group aims to:

• triple its revenue,
• strengthen its presence across France and Europe,
• become a leading reference in managed IT services and AI system governance.

Starting in 2026, we are preparing an acceleration phase with financial partners to execute a targeted external growth strategy focused on consulting, cybersecurity, and Artificial Intelligence expertise.
Our objective is to guide organizations toward augmented, sovereign, and fully governed Information Systems. In the long term, an IPO remains a strategic option to support our European expansion and innovation ambitions.

A final message for business leaders still hesitant about AI?

Do not fear Artificial Intelligence. Fear unmanaged Artificial Intelligence. The companies that will succeed are those capable of leveraging AI while maintaining full control over their data, processes, cybersecurity posture, and strategic decisions.

That is precisely the role we intend to play: to be the trusted operator of Information Systems and Artificial Intelligence — serving performance, digital sovereignty, compliance, and responsible innovation.