FARI - AI for the Common Good Institute

Data & The City: What to Do with Data in Brussels? 🌆 Episode 2 – Public Space and Surveillance: Does Urban Air Make You Free? is now live. In this podcast episode of Data & The City, part of a partnership between FARI and Brussels Academy asbl/ vzw, we explore the complex relationship between public space, surveillance, privacy, and personal freedom in Brussels. Our experts Rosamunde van Brakel, Corentin Debailleul, and Violette De Neef discuss the growing use of surveillance cameras and facial recognition technologies in cities. What are the benefits and risks of these technologies in urban environments? 🎧 Listen this discussion about how these technologies impact public safety, citizens' privacy rights and our freedom in the digital age on our YouTube Channel: https://lnkd.in/dJmqj_-2 Université libre de Bruxelles - Vrije Universiteit Brussel - Brussels Academy asbl/ vzw - Lea Rogliano

How can we foster AI innovation while ensuring it is regulated effectively? What role do regulatory sandboxes play in shaping the future of AI in the EU? 🌐   On Tuesday, FARI, in collaboration with the Research Group on Law, Science, Technology & Society (LSTS), hosted a Lunch Talk on AI regulatory sandboxes. This lunch aligns with the EU's AI Act, which mandates that all Member States establish AI regulatory sandboxes — controlled environments that promote innovation and refine regulatory approaches — by August 2026.   This event talk brought together researchers, civil servants, industry professionals, and representatives from public institutions to build on the discussions initiated in Nathan Genicot’s report “From Blueprint to Reality: Implementing AI Regulatory Sandboxes under the AI Act”. The report explores the legal framework for AI regulatory sandboxes and reviews existing practices in Europe. Its goal is to enhance understanding of the rules introduced by the AI Act and identify key issues for the effective national implementation of AI regulatory sandboxes. 📘   Nathan Genicot presented his research, followed by Gosia (Malgorzata) Nikowska (European Commission), Anne-Charlotte Recker (Belgian Data Protection Authority), and Cas Mevissen (Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs), who shared their perspectives on the challenges and solutions for implementing these sandboxes. The discussion was moderated by Gloria González Fuster (Law, Science, Technology & Society (LSTS))   ➡️ Read the full report on our website: https://lnkd.in/dCwydMye Vrije Universiteit Brussel Université libre de Bruxelles Hans De Canck Carl-Maria MÖRCH Karen Boers

🌟 2024 has been an incredible year of innovation and impact at FARI! None of this would have been possible without the unwavering support, dedication, and brilliance of our community. To every researcher, partner, and supporter: thank you from the bottom of our hearts. 💙 Let us share some highlights with you: 🔬 Research & Innovation: - Launched CAVE for immersive visualization - Advanced Digital Twin projects in Brussels - Expanded our Test & Experience Center - Completed two successful AI Accelerator cohorts - Launched a new partnership with the Data Protection Institute - Began supporting 4 PhD researchers, 2 postdocs, and 3 collaborative Innoviris projects 📚 Education & Community: - Celebrated the first-ever AI Academy graduates 🎓 - Introduced AI Happy Hours to foster public understanding of AI - Hosted 800+ attendees at our "AI, a Public Good?" conference - Strengthened our international partnership with CAIRNE 🚀 Looking ahead to 2025: - Hosting the 4th FARI Brussels Conference - Expanding AI Academy programs - Deepening collaborations on Digital Twins and AI governance ✨ Thank you for being part of our journey and for believing in our mission. Your enthusiasm fuels everything we do. Wishing you a joyful holiday season filled with inspiration and new opportunities. Here’s to an even brighter 2025, together! 🎉 🔗 Want to learn more about our achievements and future plans? Subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated: https://lnkd.in/dC-NMGfK Université libre de Bruxelles - Vrije Universiteit Brussel - Ann Nowé - Hugues Bersini - Hans De Canck - Carl-Maria MÖRCH - Karen Boers - Martin Canter - Marieke Van Camp - Simeon Michel - Mosa Sebdani - Hans Mortelmans - Susheel Nath - Laura Jousset - Sezen Avci - Kenneth Hannaert - Amélie Wauquaire - Laetitia d'Ornano - Laurence Renault - Emilie Maccarini - Alice Demaret, M. Sc. - Diana R. - Lea Rogliano - Lore Stanson - Nassima Noufail - Bridget Miller - Andrea Torres PerdomoSokcheng Thai - Michelle Gay Nidoy #AI #Innovation #Brussels #DigitalTransformation #AIforGood #Research #Education #HappyHolidays

🎬 Check it out! FARI - AI for the Common Good Institute was recently featured on BRUZZ - Vlaams-Brusselse Media, showcasing our research on innovations in artificial intelligence and robotics. In this video by Anja Strelec, our team members Karen Boers, Carl-Maria MÖRCH, Susheel Nath, and Marieke Van Camp shared their expertise and demonstrated how our projects are shaping the future of AI for societal benefit. 🔍 Watch the full video to discover: - Our state-of-the-art facilities - Ongoing research projects - How we're taking steps to make AI accessible and beneficial for everyone 👉 Click the link below to watch the full feature and learn more about our activities at FARI! https://lnkd.in/dyhXXMCF

🎥 Missed the #FARI2024 Conference at Flagey? Don't worry - we've captured all the groundbreaking discussions from Studio 4! Check out the recordings of numerous sessions from the conference including: 🌟 Keynote sessions by renowned experts: - Mireille Hildebrandt, FBA - Theresa Zueger - Yoshua Bengio 🤝 "Assessing AI, Data, and Robotics in Public Service Missions" Featuring Maria Claudia Bodino, Elja Daae, Paul Duan, and Alexandre Pirson Moderated by Hugues Bersini 🇪🇺 "AI for Europe: A Critical Need for Today and Tomorrow" With Martin Canter, Holger Hoos, Alex Moltzau, and Marina Teller Moderated by Gregory Lewkowicz 📣 Opening and closing remarks Ready to dive into the discussion? Watch the full recordings here: 🎬 https://lnkd.in/dnYCshEt Vrije Universiteit Brussel - Université libre de Bruxelles - VUB TechTransfer - ULB Research & Innovation - European Commission - Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations - Bayes Impact - CAIRNE - RWTH Aachen University- Université Côte d'Azur

Data & The City: What to Do with Data in Brussels? 🌆 Episode 1 – Smart City: Make your own Opinion What does it mean for a city to be "smart"? How do technology and data shape urban life? In this first episode of Data & The City, a series created in partnership between FARI and Brussels Academy asbl/ vzw, experts Audrey Lebas and Tyler Reigeluth dive into the concept of smart cities. They discuss how technology can improve sustainability, citizen well-being, and inclusivity in Brussels and beyond. The episode also addresses critical challenges, such as: ➡️ Bridging the digital divide ➡️ Ensuring technology serves the people who live in the city Watch now and explore how smart city initiatives are reshaping urban life while questioning their promises and risks! Follow us on our YouTube channel to make sure you don’t miss the next episode of Data & The City: https://lnkd.in/exwi-B9m Université libre de Bruxelles Vrije Universiteit Brussel Brussels Academy asbl/ vzw Muntpunt Lea Rogliano

The position is still open for applications! Check out the job details here: https://lnkd.in/exJjx9gi

🤝 Researchers + Civil Society = The Robotics Dream Team! In collaboration with paradigm.brussels, FARI launched a grant for partner labs to engage citizens in AI, data, and robotics research. In October, Michel Joop van der Schoor launched his inspiring series of workshops for public administrations. 🌟 Workshops 1. Design of a smart city considering citizen needs 2. Ideation for service robots 3. Rapid prototyping of robot concepts + a citizen consultation during Innoviris’s I Love Science Festival, where citizens contributed ideas and voted on robot use cases. Key Reflections from Michel’s interview with Lea Rogliano 💪 Gains from collaboration: - Diverse perspectives from various professions, ages, and genders - Insights into practical end-user needs for informed robot design 🤔 Challenges faced: - Representativeness of participants - Moving beyond ideation to technical design - Making unfamiliar tasks clearer and more accessible to the public 💡 Advice for researchers: - Work with professional facilitators (like professional facilitator in service design, Diana Schneider!) - Set clear objectives for citizen engagement and partner with experts to achieve them 👉 Curious to learn more about service robots? Get in touch with Michel Joop van der Schoor and Lea Rogliano, and read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/dT_CCHFj Vrije Universiteit Brussel - BruBotics - Vrije Universiteit Brussel

A warm welcome to our new team member, Nassima Noufail! 👋 Introducing Nassima, who is joining FARI as our AI Training Expert. With a PhD in Computer Science, she brings experience as a teacher and research assistant. Her specialization is in AI applications for healthcare, and she has a strong passion for turning complex technological research into impactful solutions for society. Nassima shares, “I aim to leverage my technological and AI expertise to develop training contents and solutions that directly address societal challenges. By focusing on ethical AI applications, I want to ensure that technological innovations prioritize human well-being.” We’re excited to have Nassima on board and look forward to her incredible contributions to advancing AI for the common good. Join us in celebrating her arrival to the team!

Participez à notre session « Introduction à l'IA pour le bien commun » ! 🚀 Next Monday, December 16, we will hold a training session in French designed for public sector decision-makers to be better understand the practical dimension of AI in their professional context. This session, led by Andres Cotorruelo, will provide valuable insights into how artificial intelligence can be integrated into decision-making processes and everyday operations. 📍 Location: FARI Test & Experience Center, Brussels 📅 Date and time: Monday, December 16 from 9:00 - 17:00 If you are looking for an opportunity to deepen your understanding of AI in the public sector, click this link to register: https://lnkd.in/dvpEWGhw Emilie Gregoire, Karen Boers