FARI - AI for the Common Good Institute

Professor Roland Billen from the Université de Liège and director of the GeoScITY research group takes the stage to discuss the impact of digital twins during the first session of Data and the City. 🚀 Following Jacques Lévy's presentation, Roland underlines the dual benefits of digital twins: better city management and the chance for citizens to become active participants in decision-making. 💡 In his interview, he highlights the importance of training citizens and users, emphasizing that implementing digital twins is both a technical and organizational challenge. He also stresses the need for high-quality data and rigorous control over its reliability, warning that without this, the system could malfunction and erode citizen trust. Digital twin technology can be an opportunity to reshape city management and transform how people work and collaborate, but ethical consideration and proper implementation is critical. What are your thoughts on cities using digital twins? 🌃 Watch the full video on our YouTube channel: https://lnkd.in/eN7_GWQs This event was co-organized by FARI - AI for the Common Good Institute and Brussels Academy asbl/ vzw, as part of the second edition of Data & the City during #AIWeek2025, organized by SPF Stratégie et Appui and AI4Belgium. Congratulation to Lea Rogliano, Alice Demaret, M. Sc., Susheel Nath, Marion Berzin & @Marie des Neiges de Lantsheere for the organization✨ Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Université libre de Bruxelles, VUB Research, ULB Research & Innovation, Adrien Poels, Nathanael Ackerman

Interested in the intersection of #AI, #law, and #employment? A new dossier from Université libre de Bruxelles highlights #research conducted by FARI’s affiliated research groups. The articles cover a range of topics, from #digitaltwins to the legal implications of AI and its broader economic and societal impacts. It is a great chance to explore the cutting-edge research shaping these fields. Check out the dossier here 👇 https://lnkd.in/ehWDWfZt Vrije Universiteit Brussel - Centre Perelman - Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management - Machine Learning Group ULB - Gregory Lewkowicz - Nicolas van Zeebroeck - Carl-Maria MÖRCH - Gian Marco Paldino - Eladio Montero-Porras - Martin Canter - Susheel Nath

🌟 Meet Alice Demaret, M. Sc. — our new Project Manager at the #CitizenEngagementHub! 🌍 With a dynamic background in Ethics & Sustainability of AI, Project Management, Data Science, and Applied Economics, Alice brings over a decade of experience across private and academic sectors. Previously working with FARI at SustAIn.brussels, Alice now takes on a pivotal role supporting researchers in assessing the social readiness of their projects, while leading initiatives in digital inclusion and AI & democracy, including the ALGO-LIT project. Alice is driven to make tech work for people and not the other way around, and her research interests include AI Ethics from the Majority World and the intersection of AI and Democracy. At FARI’s synergetic Citizen Engagement Hub, led by Lea Rogliano, Alice brings her field experience and ambition to “create a fertile ground for AI for the common good, guided by the needs and aspirations of civil society, international trends, leading to concrete projects in AI, data and robotics.” Please give her a warm welcome! 👏 Vrije Universiteit Brussel - Université libre de Bruxelles #CitizenEngagement #DigitalInclusion #AIandDemocracy

🌱 Is your non-profit or public sector organization searching for solutions for managing expenses, attracting talent, or keeping up with digital transformation? At our "Introduction to AI for the Common Good" course, you and your team can learn how to use AI to ease your organization's biggest areas of concern while creating a positive impact in your sector. In this one-day course led by AI expert Nassima Noufail, you will create an effective AI strategy for your organization by identifying opportunities and tackling challenges in an interactive session that provides real-world use cases and personalized feedback. This training course will take place from 9:00-17:00 on Tuesday, May 13 in the FARI Auditorium. ✨ Non-profits and public sector organizations qualify for a 20% discount. 👉 Reserve your spot here: https://lnkd.in/dVPu9dYm Vrije Universiteit Brussel - Université libre de Bruxelles - Emilie Maccarini -Lore Stanson - Karen Boers #GenerativeAI #ResponsibleAI #AIAdoption #DigitalTransformation #PublicAdministrators #PolicyMakers #LLMs #AITraining #EthicalAI #AIforGood  #AIinOrganizations #FutureOfWork #AIWorkshop

We are proud to share that the FARI Conference 2024 has been recognized by the Brussels Business Events Ambassadors Award by visitbrussels and its Convention Bureau Brussels! 🏆 This recognition means a lot—it celebrates the work behind the scenes and highlights the impact of our conference on AI, data, and robotics, driving research and innovation right here in #Brussels. Huge thanks to everyone who made the 2024 edition a success—from speakers and partners to our brilliant team and all of you who joined us! Next stop: FARI Conference 2025 🚀 #FARI2024 #FARI2025 #AI #Data #Robotics - Vrije Universiteit Brussel - Université libre de Bruxelles - Geoffrey Aerts - Ann Nowe - Tom Lenaerts - Gregory Lewkowicz - Artificial Intelligence Lab Brussels - Machine Learning Group ULB - Centre Perelman - imec-SMIT, Vrije Universiteit Brussel - Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management - ETRO VUB - Law, Science, Technology & Society (LSTS), BruBotics - Vrije Universiteit Brussel - Flagey - BeCentral - European Commission - La France en Belgique - Nederlandse ambassade in België - RoboRana - CAIRNE - VUB Business Development Academy - Open & Agile Smart Cities & Communities (OASC) - SustAIn.brussels - hub.brussels - The Data Tank - Cronos Public Services NV - Cronos.AI | Enterprise AI - Eurocities - Make.org - JewelKitPro - GLUON BXL - ifok GmbH - SIPRI - Knowledge Centre Data & Society

Happy #EarthDay! 🌍 At FARI, we understand that the future of energy is about more than just sustainability – it is about collaboration. At a time when climate change is putting our #energy systems to the test, one thing is clear: the energy transition cannot be achieved without rethinking our production, distribution, and consumption models. At FARI, we are exploring how artificial intelligence can support more sustainable, more #local, and fairer energy models. Based on a research project at the Artificial Intelligence Lab Brussels, our Smart Grid demonstration, presented at our Test & Experience Center, tests a simple but innovative idea: What if the energy produced on my roof could directly power my neighbor's home? This type of peer-to-peer sharing could become an essential brick in a more resilient energy network, especially in a dense urban context like #Brussels. 🏙️ But beyond the technology, this approach raises fundamental questions: how can we make better use of local energy? How can we reconcile innovation and social justice? And above all, how can we ensure that the energy transition is an opportunity for everyone? Because this transition will not just be about solar panels and batteries; it will also depend on the #ethical and #responsible use of #AI to rethink sharing models, to build mechanisms of trust, and to involve #citizens from the outset. As we celebrate #EarthDay today, let us invest not only in our planet, but in smarter, fairer ways of living together on it! 🌱💡 Watch the video and let us know in the comments – what ideas or insights does it inspire for you? Vrije Universiteit Brussel - Université libre de Bruxelles - VUB Research -ULB Research & Innovation - Ann Nowé - Mike Mihaylov - Marjon Blondeel - Martin Canter - Laura Jousset - Simeon Michel - Sezen Avci #Sustainability #AIForGood #SmartEnergy #research #innovation #VUB #ULB Trigger warning: Please note that the demonstration we present is not yet deployed for Brussels and remains a demo in our Test & Experience Center.

More students are turning to generative AI, but not all are benefiting equally. 📚 Sylviane Bachy's new research article "Disparities in the Use of Digital Technology and Artificial Intelligence at University" gives insights on how students interact with AI tools. Based on a survey of 2000 students: 1️⃣ Digital usage is not equal across the board 2️⃣ 30% of learners show signs of digital vulnerability 3️⃣ Those who are most digitally vulnerable also struggle the most with AI 4️⃣ Usage varies by gender and level of study 💡 The takeaway? Students in supportive learning environments use AI to deepen their knowledge, while more vulnerable students often misuse it. This research paves the way towards ensuring equitable access and AI literacy for all students. 🔗 Download the full article here: https://lnkd.in/dPvzbzDj Laurence Renault, Alice Demaret, M. Sc., Université libre de Bruxelles, ULB Research & Innovation #AIinEducation #HigherEd #DigitalEquity #GenerativeAI #EdTech 📷© Lara Herbinia

Our world is full of light, sound and radiation we cannot perceive. In this art piece, AI helps us realize the beauty in what humans cannot sense. FARI researcher Lluc Bono is providing his Music and AI expertise on an audiovisual artwork titled "Humming the Ubique" by artist Aernoudt Jacobs. As part of the Hear Here 2025 sound art festival, this LUMSON research partner project from FARI - AI for the Common Good Institute, iMAL, imo-imomec & de Hoge Rielen allows us to experience the imperceptible energy around us. The piece features 64 luminescent sound foils that are animated through EM waves collected and streamed in real-time from four locations in Leuven. These waves color the foils based on voltage and are translated into voices using the AI technology RAVE. The offi­ci­al ope­ning of Hear Here 2025 will take place on Thursday April 24, with a turn­ta­ble per­for­man­ce by Maria Chávez at STUKcafé. If you are interested in experiencing the piece for yourself, you can visit the BAC ART LAB at Vital Decosterstraat 102, Leuven from April 24 to June 9. More info can be found here: https://lnkd.in/dWBrKM-B Carl-Maria MÖRCH, Laurence Renault, r25b4, STUK, KU Leuven, TechDesign GmbH, Maryia Komarova, David Jeuniaux, Antoine Caillon, Phillippe Esling, Ella Peeters, Stef Meeussen, élie bolard, Dieter Reenaers, Wim Deferme, Hasselt University, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Université libre de Bruxelles © Aernoudt Jacobs — Humming The Ubique

As we prepare for #FARI2025, we would like to take a moment to reflect on the thought-provoking conversations and vibrant community that made last year’s FARI Brussels Conference a success. 🎉 #FARI2024 “AI, a Public Good?” brought together leading experts from academia, policy, industry, and civil society while welcoming over 800 attendees to explore the ethical and societal impacts of AI, data, and robotics. Thank you to all the speakers, partners, and participants who made it possible, and we look forward to welcoming you back for this year's edition, "AI, Robots, & Us: Living with Intelligent Agents?" 🦾 📖 Read more here: https://lnkd.in/dEuSD9Jy Karen Boers, Carl-Maria MÖRCH, Laura Jousset, Sezen Avci, Kenneth Hannaert, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Université libre de Bruxelles, ULB Research & Innovation, VUB TechTransfer Geoffrey Aerts, Ann Nowe, Tom Lenaerts, Gregory Lewkowicz, Artificial Intelligence Lab Brussels, Machine Learning Group ULB, Centre Perelman, imec-SMIT, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management, ETRO VUB, Law, Science, Technology & Society (LSTS), BruBotics - Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Flagey, BeCentral, visitbrussels, Convention Bureau Brussels, European Commission, La France en Belgique, Nederlandse ambassade in België, SustAIn.brussels, RoboRana, JewelKitPro, TEDxBrussels, Knowledge Centre Data & Society, CAIRNE, Make.org, VUB Business Development Academy, Open & Agile Smart Cities & Communities (OASC), GLUON BXL ifok GmbH, SIPRI

The final session of the Data & the City second edition wrapped up last Thursday 🚀 Over four weeks, researchers, public administrators, and #citizen associations came together to explore the many facets of digital twins and their role in shaping the cities of tomorrow. Among our featured speakers in our first session was Jacques Lévy, a geographer and, as he likes to put it, a “scientist of the social,” who offered a compelling reflection on how digital innovation intersects with urban life 🌆 In his interview, Lévy discusses the importance of spatial thinking in understanding society and explains how digital twins can be used to simulate urban transformations before taking real-world action. His message is clear: technology alone will not build better cities—people will. Drawing from his work with large-scale mobile phone data, he challenges conventional definitions of residency and invites us to rethink who truly "inhabits" a city. He also emphasizes the importance of cartographic literacy as a crucial means of empowering to #engage meaningfully in urban planning processes.  👉 Watch the full interview now on our YouTube channel: https://lnkd.in/ehAY3YMf This first session was part of the #AIWeek2025  organized by SPF Stratégie et Appui and AI4Belgium Lea Rogliano, Susheel Nath, Brussels Academy asbl/ vzw, Adrien Poels, Nathanael Ackerman