The University Hospital of Strasbourg is home to a unique structure for research and training in the surgery of the future: IRCAD, created by Professor Jacques Marescaux and his team. Every year, for the benefit of patients, IRCAD trains thousands of surgeons from all over the world with the best experts in the most advanced techniques of minimally invasive surgery, in Strasbourg but also remotely, thanks to its unique model of virtual university that is completely free (WebSurg) and its hybrid courses. In addition to laparoscopic training, IRCAD is also the largest training center for robotic surgery in the world. In parallel to its training activity, the impressive number of scientific publications testifies to a cutting-edge research activity in the surgical field. The strength of the teams lies in their diversity and cooperation: engineers, researchers and fellows work hand in hand in the service of the patient, particularly in the field of artificial intelligence. Innovating and developing digital technology for surgery, in order to improve precision and patient care: local authorities have been won over. Collaboration with the academic world and with the hospital was crucial, insofar as innovation is only justified if its purpose is to be applied to the patient. This was also possible thanks to close partnerships with many European and American industrialists, which led to the creation of surgical training platforms equipped with the latest laparoscopic, endoscopic, and robotic technologies. By combining expertise in minimally invasive surgery, robotics and medical imaging, IRCAD has become a world leader in these specialties in less than thirty years. This center of excellence is the result of Professor Jacques Marescaux’s intuition and energy, and holds a special place in the scientific influence of France internationally, with the creation of mirror institutes that continue to develop throughout the world.