Keynotes on Science, Technology and Innovation
As a warm-blooded #STEM-ambassador, Filip Van den Abeele is a renowned keynote speaker on science, technology and innovation. He is an engineer by education, and takes pride in talking passionately about Industry 4.0, digital transformation and artificial intelligence.
As a PhD in applied sciences, he embraces the tantalizing beauty of scientific research, yet also understands the challenges of turning technological innovations into sustainable business.
As a published author, Filip frequently talks about the global energy transition and the moral dilemmas imposed by new technologies.
Presentations with passion and purpose
Feel free to explore the suggested topics for keynote presentations below, which can be delivered in Dutch and English. Filip is always happy to tailor the content to the expectations of your audience, or design a bespoke keynote presentation that goes with the flow of your event or seminar!
Technology Wonders: innovation and ethics
Scientific discovery and technological innovation are the very levers of prosperity. Self-driving cars are paving the way for safer and more efficient traffic. Big Data unlocks tremendous potential for healthcare and medicine. Smart machines, driven by artificial intelligence, can optimize industrial processes and improve the quality of our lives. And thanks to smart farming techniques, we will soon be able to feed 10 billion people.
Yet, what about the drawbacks? Would you dare to take a ride with a self-driving car that could sacrifice its passenger? Can we accept AI bots that discriminate based on biased data? Will robots release us from the burden of hard labour, or are they turning humans into modern slaves? And can a care robot watch over your children?
Based on his best-selling book, Filip explores the merits and limits of new technologies and highlights the moral dilemmas often raised by scientific breakthroughs. Buckle up and brace for a head-on collision between innovation and ethics!
A most interesting and inspiring keynote. Technology Wonders is a thought-provoking eye-opener, delivered by Filip with the perfect balance between explaining and entertaining. Highly recommended!
– Tom Van Varenbergh, Partner at Wave Group
Artificial Intelligence: what’s in it for me?
Artificial intelligence is the new kid in town. Machine learning enabled by deep neural networks is disrupting business, society and even reality. ChatGPT, Copilot and Grok are redefining the very concept of ‘intelligence’. And Generative AI seems to exhibit creativity, and may have access to a reality no longer available for our human mind.
So what is artificial intelligence, exactly, and how does it work? What are neural networks, and how did they become self-learning? How does Grok paint a picture of Donald Trump the way Van Gogh would have done? Why can ChatGPT digest an entire university library in a matter of seconds, to construct new solutions to deep and difficult questions? And will AI ultimately become smarter than us, humans…?
Curious as scientist and pragmatic as engineer, Filip dives deeply beneath the bonnet to disclose the secret sauce of artificial intelligence. With wisdom and wit, he uncovers and explains the inner workings of modern AI algorithms. This keynote warns for the potential pitfalls of AI, but more importantly: it tells you how to capitalize on this amazingly powerful new form of intelligence.
In crystal clear language and with a picture perfect presentation, Filip explained the technology of artificial intelligence in layman’s terms. In this compelling keynote, he shows how everyone can learn to unlock the power of AI.
– Marijke Bruyninckx, Director P&I
Industry 4.0: unlock the power of digital transformation
After the advent of the mechanical weaving loom, the introduction of automatic assembly lines and the rise of the robots, the world is now seeing a fourth industrial revolution. Industry 4.0 is an interconnected ecosystem in which intelligent machines operate, allowing for unlimited customization. It has the potential to disrupt ‘business as usual’ and cause seismic shifts in manufacturing, ICT, education, healthcare, farming, …
Smart sensors and intelligent machines are obliterating the status quo and challenging our virtues as humans. The digital transformation, enabled by cloud technology, Big Data and AI, can be a blessing or a burden for your corporation.
As an enthusiastic entrepreneur and technology scout, Filip takes you on a journey to explore the potential of Industry 4.0 for your business. He skilfully guides you through a process of digital transformation that leads to higher efficiency, empowered employees and engaged customers. Sign up for a Masterclass on the New Way of Work!
Thanks to Filip, our event was a stellar success! We received only positive feedback and would like to thank Filip for his involvement and expertise. His intervention inspired everyone at Luminus, igniting a collective enthusiasm to pursue innovation.
– Tim Brouns, Innovation Program Manager at Luminus
The Global Energy Transition: economy meets ecology
Combatting climate change requires revisiting our energy mix, shifting from primarily fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas) towards renewable energy sources such as solar and wind. To provide a solid backbone to meet our ever increasing energy demand, both gas-fired thermal power plants and nuclear reactors will be key. Long duration energy storage and carbon capture and sequestration will be important enablers for the global energy transition. Such a shift will not materialize overnight: it will require a long time and significant investments.
As an educated pipeline engineer with +20 years’ experience in the energy segment, Filip gives a brutally honest account of our worldwide energy landscape. As published author and TEDx speaker on oil depletion, he reviews different scenarios to meet our energy demand whilst accounting for planet, people ànd profit. In this revealing keynote presentation, a PhD born at 338 ppm undertakes the tedious task of trying to reconcile economy and ecology.
Filip delivered a keynote on the Global Energy Transition and moderated our InduMotion General Assembly. We were impressed by his abilities to attract the attention of a diverse audience. After his most interesting keynote lecture, he entertained a vivid debate in a professional and pleasant fashion.
– Hugues Maes, InduMotion Chairman