Closing words

16:50 to 17:20 PM
Studio 4

In this closing session, we reflected on the day's insightful discussions and presentations. We synthesized the key takeaways from our diverse speakers and audience, exploring the potential and challenges of AI in shaping a better future. This moment also served as a chance to spotlight and celebrate our first cohort, sharing the experiences and achievements of the FARI Postgraduate Program's 2024 alumni.

Meet the speakers

  • Karen Boers

    SPEAKER

    FARI Managing Director

    Karen is an impact entrepreneur known for challenging the status quo in technology, entrepreneurship, and digital skills. She founded and led initiatives such as Startups.be, the European Startup Network, BeCentral, and BeCode, focusing on developing and recruiting diverse talent. Recognized as one of the top 50 most influential women in the European startup and venture capital space from 2016 to 2020, she was nominated as ‘ICT Woman of the Year’ in 2019 and named among ‘Inspiring Fifty’ in 2021 and ‘Radical Innovator’ in 2022. Currently, Karen runs the Brussels-based AI Centre for the Common Good and is a sought-after speaker on corporate social responsibility, leadership, diversity and inclusion, talent acquisition, psychosocial well-being, and impact finance.

  • Silvia Erzeel

    SPEAKER

    Silvia Erzeel is Associate Professor at the Department of Political Science and the VUB Centre for Democratic Futures

    Silvia Erzeel is Associate Professor at the Department of Political Science and the VUB Centre for Democratic Futures. Between 2021-2024, she is chair of the program board of the VUB programs in Political Science (Bachelor Politieke Wetenschappen, Master Democratie en Leiderschap and Master European and International Governance).

    Her research interests focus on the causes and consequences of gender and social inequalities in representative democracy, and how representative democracy is innovated to include the views and needs of all. She often studies these topics from a comparative perspective, using survey research and/or in-depth interviewing.

    In recent years, Silvia also studies how representative actors and institutions (such as parties and parliaments) navigate the so-called crisis of representative democracy, and how they respond to it in innovative ways. She is particularly interested in innovations aimed at the inclusion of traditionally underrepresented groups, such as women, young people, and educational groups.

    Her methodological background is situated within domain of comparative research and methods. Several recent publications offer methodological reflections on the opportunities and challenges of comparative research in addressing issues of gender equality, inclusion and intersectionality.