Programme

The conference will be opened by Otman Nouinou, international speaker, AI entrepreneur and experienced technology strategist. As chair, Otman will set the stage for the day by connecting the key themes of AI, automation and digital transformation, guiding the audience into a day full of insights, innovation and meaningful discussion.

Two years and billions deployed in AI, and most boards are asking why the returns aren't there. This keynote answers that directly: the work got faster, but the company didn't. A developer ships 50% faster, then waits in the same review queue; a team prototypes in days, then waits weeks for sign-off. Philippe diagnoses that gap precisely, then shows what autonomous companies do differently, and what the pitfalls are along the way. You will leave with a clear-eyed view of the road ahead in the coming years.

During the conference, Nathalie Rigouts from Umicore will deliver an inspiring keynote session. Drawing on her expertise and experience within a leading international materials technology company, she will share valuable insights and perspectives connected to the themes of this event. We will announce more details soon!

As organisations move from AI experimentation to enterprise-wide transformation, questions around autonomy, agency, governance, and operating models become more important than the technology itself. The companies that succeed will not be those with the most AI, but those with the clearest ambition.

From early actions to manage the use of (primarily LLM-based) AI tools to a more structured and organization-wide approach, this session explores how VRT is working towards responsible and trustworthy AI adoption. Erwin takes you on a journey through the challenges the public broadcaster encountered, and continues to face, along the way.

In this practical session, we will explore how companies can unlock the power of AI automation while managing the key risks around data, accountability, bias, transparency and the EU AI Act. No legal deep dive, no jargon overload, just clear takeaways for business and technology leaders who want to move forward but avoid costly mistakes. Expect concrete examples, real-world pitfalls and a pragmatic roadmap for turning AI automation into a competitive advantage."

This exclusive roundtable brings together senior professionals responsible for driving successful AI transformation: spanning business, customer experience, data, architecture, and governance. Together, we will explore why traditional approaches to AI adoption are falling short and what it takes to unlock AI that delivers measurable value. At the center of the discussion are three critical questions every organization must answer before AI can become a trusted part of the business: Is it accurate? Is it efficient? And is it safe and sovereign?

Sweco applies AI and automation broadly, both within projects and in day-to-day operations, with a clear focus on inclusive and sustainable applications. At Sweco, automation is not a goal in itself, but a means to free up time for more sustainable designs, better collaboration with clients, and increased job satisfaction. A wide range of automation solutions supports processes, both at large scale and through small, personal automations. In addition, Sweco has established an AI ecosystem in which all employees – across diverse profiles and technical skill levels – are supported by accessible AI tools such as SwecoGPT. This is reinforced through targeted AI training programs, local initiatives, and a strong network of ambassadors. Sweco’s focus lies in combining technological progress with a people-first approach. This session highlights several practical examples from the past three years that have had a measurable positive impact on the organization and its employees. The key takeaways are: let ideas emerge from employees themselves, focus on positive impact, and use technology to strengthen human qualities.

Many AI initiatives start as promising pilots but fail to deliver lasting impact when moving into production. At Euroconsumers, we made a deliberate shift: from experimenting with AI to building AI-powered products and services that deliver real value to millions of consumers. This session explores how to scale AI from proof-of-concept to enterprise deployment, and ultimately into customer-facing platforms. It goes beyond technology to address the real blockers: data readiness, integration into existing ecosystems, governance, and internal alignment. More importantly, it shows how to move from AI as a tool… to AI as a service layer embedded in digital products, powered by a multi-agent architecture, where specialized agents (legal, product, content, financial) collaborate to guide users, automate actions, and deliver continuous value. The focus is not on experimentation, but on AI that operates reliably in real life and at scale. Takeaway: AI becomes real when it moves from answers to outcomes: saving time, recovering money, and improving decisions at scale.