Belgium’s first AI Week invites everyone to learn more about artificial intelligence

The first-ever Belgian AI Week launched today, with seminars, debates and workshops open to everyone, from professionals to the casually interested citizen. The entire event is free and accessible online.

The event brings together more than 200 AI experts from around the world and 10 Belgian and European politicians, including prime minister Alexander De Croo. They will be looking at the use of artificial intelligence in a number of areas, potential future applications, research findings and the ethics around the technology. Discussions and other activities are in English, French or Dutch, or sometimes two languages simultaneously.

The week was spearheaded by AI4Belgium, a coalition that helps local businesses, authorities, academia and individuals use the opportunities of AI responsibly. AI is part of our everyday lives, from Google Maps to autocorrect to social media algorithms.

The week includes citizen input and discussion on how people experience AI in their lives. “Several cities have organised citizen panels,” according to a statement. “They will look at questions like: What is the impact of artificial intelligence on employment? How will it be used in education? How do we ensure that AI applications are trustworthy?”

Some of the events in English this week include a discussion on how AI can contribute to solving mobility challenges, how AI makes us more human under the concept of the ‘homo digitalis’ and AI in the future of jobs and education.