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.

A data strategy only creates value when it is translated into clear priorities, ownership and new ways of working across the organisation. In this keynote, Nathalie Rigouts shares how Umicore is bringing its data strategy to life within a complex international industrial environment. Rather than focusing on individual AI use cases, Nathalie will show how a strong data foundation enables better decision-making, supports innovation and creates the conditions for responsible AI. Drawing on lessons from past and current companies, attendees will gain insight into moving from strategy on paper to embedded working practices, stronger collaboration and sustainable business value

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.

The CFO, auditor, EU AI Act and data-sovereignty test for automation at scale. Most AI presentations start with what the technology can do. This session starts with a more important question: what did it deliver, and can you prove it? As organisations move from pilots to workflow automation, AI must become more than impressive: it must be defensible. Leaders need control over rising costs, unreliable outputs, autonomous actions, data sovereignty and regulatory expectations under the EU AI Act. This session introduces a sharper standard for enterprise-grade AI: precision, efficiency and safety. It explores why the architecture beneath the model determines whether automation can be trusted, why connecting AI to data is not the same as creating permission-aware organisational memory, and why token efficiency matters financially, operationally and sustainably. Attendees will leave with a practical executive test for AI investments, helping them identify weak foundations early and build AI their teams can use, their CFO can fund, and their leadership can defend.

In this session, Ville Murtonen (AI Lead) share insights from 30+ ServiceNow Customer AI programs in the Northern Europe, from AI pilots to scaled agentic workflows in production. We’ll explore where customers are on the AI maturity curve, why data is rarely the biggest blocker, how workflows evolve from assistant to autonomous operations, and the most common challenges organizations face when scaling AI.

For organisations already invested in Microsoft 365, this is a session not to miss. It is designed for leaders and practitioners shaping AI strategy, technology choices, governance, workforce skills and adoption across their organisation. Copilot, agents, Cowork and emerging capabilities such as Scout each address different needs. Drawing on hands-on deployments across multiple industries, Pieter will share practical insights into where each capability fits and how to choose the right AI for the work, risk, cost and desired business outcome. Key takeaways: Understand where Copilot, agents, Cowork and Scout each fit Make more deliberate AI choices based on value, risk and complexity Anticipate governance and cost-control implications before scaling

Every organization is experimenting with AI, but very few have explicitly defined how much autonomy they want to give intelligent systems. Should AI assist employees, make recommendations, take decisions, or operate autonomously? Which decisions should remain human? What governance is needed as autonomy increases? And what does an AI-native operating model actually look like in practice? Using the AI Ambition Model as a discussion starter, this roundtable explores how organizations can make deliberate choices about adoption, autonomy, agency, and process coverage, while balancing innovation, trust, and control.

In a time of economic uncertainty, global volatility, and constant disruption, organizations everywhere are investing heavily in AI. Yet for many, real impact remains out of reach: initiatives get stuck in pilot phases, fragmented architectures, and disconnected workflows that fail to translate into meaningful business outcomes. The challenge is no longer the models themselves, but the lack of context: AI often operates without access to the organizational knowledge, connected data, and understanding of how teams and processes truly work together. 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?

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."

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.

End your day at AI & Automation Day with a unique look behind the scenes of the Planet Group Arena, home of KAA Gent. During the networking drinks, 15 participants will get the exclusive opportunity to join a special stadium tour. Discover the story behind KAA Gent, explore how the stadium operates and get an insider’s perspective on everything that goes into organising a matchday at the Planet Group Arena. From the sporting side of the club to the commercial and operational organisation behind the stadium, this is your chance to experience the arena from a completely different perspective. Limited availability: full = full! Want the best chance of securing your place? Plan your personal conference programme as soon as registration opens and sign up for the Stadium Tour.