Session 3- Why Is Brussels an AI, Data and Robotics Capital?

15:00 to 16:30 PM
Studio 4

This session will focus on Brussels’ concrete assets and ecosystem. While the previous session compares Brussels with other AI hubs, Session 3 will look inward and ask what already makes Brussels a strong AI, Data and Robotics capital ; and what still needs to be developed.

The session will highlight the diversity of Brussels’ ecosystem: academic excellence, appliedresearch, public sector innovation, data and robotics expertise, startups, scaleups, and major companies. It will show how Brussels can position itself not only as a place where AI isdiscussed, but as a place where AI is built, tested, governed and deployed for the common good.

The session should conclude with a discussion on the next steps needed to consolidateBrussels’ AI, Data and Robotics ecosystem, including stronger coordination, visibility, investment, talent development and partnerships between public authorities, universities, companies and civil society.

Meet the speakers

  • Gregory Lewkowicz

    MODERATOR

    FARI Academic Director - Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB)

    Former representative of the National Fund for Scientific Research (F.R.S.-FNRS), Gregory Lewkowicz is a professor at the Université libre de Bruxelles, a member of the Perelman Centre, and the director of the SMART Law Hub within the Faculty of Law and Criminology. He is also the academic director at the Institute of Artificial Intelligence for the Common Good (FARI) in Brussels. He teaches the course “Smart Law: Algorithms, Metrics & Artificial Intelligence” at Sciences Po Law School in Paris. Additionally, he lectures at Paris II Panthéon-Assas University and the University of Liège. He is a Koyré Senior Research Fellow in Economic Law and Artificial Intelligence as part of the 3IA Chair at Université Côte d’Azur. He is also a recurring professor in the executive education programs on digital transformation and law at HEC-Paris.

    His research pragmatically examines the interactions between law and digital technologies (SMART Law), global and transnational law, as well as the contemporary transformations of law and legal professions. He leads several research programs on algorithmic law and the application of artificial intelligence techniques to the development, analysis, implementation, and enforcement of legal or related norms. He is also involved in multiple research and development projects with public and private partners. Gregory Lewkowicz frequently advises public authorities and companies on digital strategy and regulation.

    Gregory Lewkowicz oversees the “Penser le droit” collection at Bruylant Publishing. He serves on the board of directors of the European Academy of Legal Theory and the Brussels Academic Higher Education Pole. He is a member of the advisory board of AI4Belgium and the European Committee on AI (AI Board). He established the Brussels Bar Observatory and chaired the European Incubator of the Brussels Bar from 2017 to 2022.

  • Anja Van Geert

    SPEAKER

    Chief Information Security Officer at NMBS-SNCB

    Anja Van Geert, is currently a Chief Information Security Officer at NMBS-SNCB. Anja Van Geert brings experience from previous roles at Astraya, Learnlight and Alixio. Anja Van Geert holds a 2003 - 2004 International Middle Management Certificate in International Management @ Vlerick Leuven-Gent Management School. With a robust skill set that includes Auditing, Business Process Improvement, Governance, Management, Risk Management and more.

  • Emilie Maquet

    SPEAKER

    General Manager at WAT