Program & speakers

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Conference Day Program (November 23, 2026)

The first day of the FARI Conference 2026 will feature opening and closing moments, four thematic sessions, and two keynotes speeches. Throughout the day, attendees will also have the opportunity to explore interactive booths.

Renowned international experts in AI and robotics — alongside ethicists, legal scholars, policymakers, and industry representatives — will come together to share their insights and visions in response to the central question: “Brussels, Capital of AI ?”

09:00 AM to 9:15 AM
Studio 4

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Opening remarks

Speeches by Université Libre de Bruxelles & Vrije Universiteit Brussel, and the EU AI Office of the European Commission

09:15 AM to 10:00 AM
Studio 4

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Keynote speech

  • Speaker: Karine Gentelet

Break and Networking

10:00 AM to 10:30 AM

10:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Studio 4

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Session 1
What is the impact of AI on local economies?

  • Speakers: Nicolas Van Zeebroeck, Annick Hernot

Break and Networking

12:00 PM to 13:30 PM

13:30 PM to 15:00 PM
Studio 4

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Session 2
Where and who are the capitals of AI?

  • Speakers: Tomas Lehtinen

15:00 PM to 16:30 PM
Studio 4

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Session 3
Why is Brussels an AI, Data and Robotics Capital

  • Speakers: Gregory Lewkowicz, Thibaud Elzière

Break and Networking

16:30 PM to 17:00 PM

17:00 PM to 17:45 PM
Studio 4

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Keynote speech 2

  • Speaker: to be added

17:45 PM to 18:15 PM
Studio 4

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FARI Award Ceremony & Closing words

  • Speakers: Geoffrey Aerts, Tom Lenaerts, Ann Nowé, Gregory Lewkowicz

  • Geoffrey Aerts

    FARI Academic Director - Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)

  • Karine Gentelet

    Associate Professor in the Department of Social Sciences at the Université du Québec en Outaouais.

  • Annick Hernot

    Member of the Management Board, COO at AUDI BRUSSELS

  • Tom Lenaerts

    FARI Academic Director - Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB)

  • Gregory Lewkowicz

    FARI Academic Director - Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB)

  • Tomas Lehtinen

    Head of the Data and Emerging Technologies, Digitalization Department, City of Helsinki, Finland

  • Ann Nowe

    FARI Academic Director - Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)

  • Lucilla Sioli

    Director of the EU AI Office, DG Connect, European Commission

  • Nicolas Van Zeebroeck

    Professor of digital economics and strategy at Solvay (ULB)

  • Thibaud Elzière

    Entrepreneur, co-founder of Fotolia and eFounders/Hexa