
Jeroen Baert graduated as a civil engineer in computer science in 2010 and specialised in computer graphics at KU Leuven. As science communicator and comedian (a.o. Belgian Improvisation League), he is part of Nerdland, the popular science podcasts together with Lieven Scheire.
With his sharp sense of humour and critical eye, he dissects wise tech-hypes and takes his audience through all aspects of the new technologies that are heading our way.

Artificial Intelligence: The Opportunities, Challenges and Future
A.I., generative A.I., neural networks, large language models, ChatGPT, DALL-E, privacy, copyright, reliability and explainability.
Artificial Intelligence
A.I. is rapidly changing the way we work, learn and process information. But what about its strengths, weaknesses and ethical issues? From copyright and ecological impact to the future of A.I. technology and possible doomsday scenarios-this keynote provides a critical and humorous look at the state of the art. What are the latest developments? How can you use A.I. smartly as an individual or company? Get ready for an inspiring session full of insights, surprising examples and a touch of entertainment.
For whom is this session interesting?
CEOs, CTOs, and CDOs
Digital Marketeers & Content strategists
Data Scientists & AI Engineers
HR- and Innovation managers
IT- and Business Consultants
Entrepreneurs and AI-enthousiasts
Language: dutch

Frédéric Mahieu holds a degree in civil engineering specializing in chemistry and IT, as well as a degree in business administration.
With extensive expertise in ICT within the financial sector, Frédéric has led multiple large-scale transformations, particularly overseeing the IT aspects of merger operations. Throughout his career, he has held key roles at Fortis, BNP Paribas Fortis, the BNP Paribas Group, and BIL (Luxembourg), driving strategic technological advancements.
On December 28, 2022, Frédéric was appointed CIO of Crelan, where he continues to shape the bank’s digital evolution.

A glimpse into Crelan’s digital future: from a successful merger to a data-driven transformation
In this presentation, Frédéric Mahieu will take us on a journey from the merger of two banks to their shared future as an ECB-supervised institution. With a pragmatic approach built on the existing architecture, Crelan successfully integrated ex-Axa Bank Belgium. Now, the bank is embarking on a three-year transformation program to achieve data-driven digital excellence.
For whom is this session interesting?
CEOs, CTOs, CDOs, CIOs
HR and innovation Managers
IT and business Consultants
Entrepreneurs and AI enthusiasts
Language: English

Monique Snoeck is a professor at KU Leuven, Research Group on Policy Informatics (LIRIS). Her research focuses on business modeling, requirements engineering, UML, BPMN, LCNC software development and software engineering education. Her main research themes include the integration of different modeling approaches into a comprehensive methodology, fast prototyping via LCNC, educational aspects of conceptual modeling, and investigating the impact of "Technology Enhanced Learning" (TEL) on the learning process through learning analytics.

From theory to practice: why the textbook is not enough
What if textbook material is not enough to truly prepare for practice?Where can we improve education for students in higher education and our newcomers to the workforce, to better align with the realities of the job market?In this talk, we explore the gap between theory and practice and how we can better prepare students for the challenges of their future careers.Through an unexpected comparison – baking cookies! – we demonstrate how learning and application can be better aligned.We also take a closer look at the 4C/ID model to explore how we can make complex learning more effective.
For whom is this session interesting?
An inspiring and hands-on talk for anyone looking to bring education and practice closer together!
Language: dutch

Patrick Maes is a Programme Manager at SD Worx, a leading European HR and payroll company, and a member of the management team for the Belgian Products division.
With his expertise in software and process
management,
he plays
a key role in driving innovation and optimising operations. His projects enhance Payroll
&
Reward
solutions, ensuring seamless support for SD Worx customers in critical HR processes.
Patrick Maes is programma manager bij het
toonaangevende
Europese HR- en payrollbedrijf SD Worx en lid van het managementteam van de Belgische
Products
afdeling.
Met zijn ervaring in software en procesmanagement speelt hij een rol in diverse innovatie-
en
vernieuwingsprojecten. Deze optimaliseren de Payroll & Reward oplossingen en
ondersteunen de
klanten
van SD Worx bij heel wat cruciale HR-processen.

AskMe: Intelligent Virtual Assistants (IVA) transform documentation into a driver of innovation
As the market leader in Belgium and a prominent player across Europe, SD Worx has been supporting its customers with HR and payroll solutions for over eighty years, offering a combination of software, services, and expertise.
Hyperautomation
The rise in automation and the evolving legislative landscape have
created a
product environment filled with extensive documentation. Over time, the format of both
analysis
and
documentation has evolved to meet changing demands.
To address this challenge,
Patrick
and his team
launched AskMe as a Proof of Concept to make the documentation more accessible. At the same
time, the team
is expanding its expertise by harnessing Intelligent Virtual Assistants (IVA).
AskMe
has
provided
valuable insights and become an indispensable tool for both new and experienced employees,
boosting their
productivity and knowledge.
For whom is this session interesting?
CEOs, CTOs, and CDOs
Digital Marketeers & Content strategists
Data scientists & AI engineers
HR- en innovation managers
IT- and business Consultants
Entrepreneurs and AI-enthousiasts
Language: dutch

Gregor is an architect bridging IT and business, translating buzzwords into practical decisions. He built cloud services at AWS, guided cloud transformations at Google Cloud, shaped Singapore’s government cloud strategy, and served as Chief Architect at Allianz SE. He co-authored Enterprise Integration Patterns, wrote The Software Architect Elevator, and serves on the IEEE Software advisory board. Gregor emphasizes clear communication over simplification, effectively wielding both IDE and presentation software.
Platforms: defying the laws of IT physics
Balancing speed, compliance, and innovation in developer platforms
Platform Engineering, Architecture
Developer platforms appear to defy the IT laws of physics: they boost innovation through harmonization; they speed up development while assuring compliance; and they reduce cognitive load without restricting choice. As one would guess, building such an in-house platform, or even deploying one, is far from easy. This talk reflects on a decade of building platforms and reveals why platform design has much to do with fruit salads and submarines.
For whom is this session interesting?
IT Leaders
Decision makers
(aspiring) Architects
Language: english

Jan Somers has a background in politics, trade negotiations, and industry leadership. After roles in the Brussels Parliament and Flemish Government, he transitioned to BABM, ECR Belgium, and the European Footwear Industry Confederation. Following the 2007 GS1-ECR merger, he became Deputy CEO at GS1 Belgilux. With degrees in Political & Social Sciences (KU Leuven) and European Politics (Strasbourg), he drives digital transformation in supply chain management.
Senne has over 12 years of experience at GS1 Belgium & Luxembourg, where he currently serves as IT Director. He is responsible for aligning IT strategy with business goals, overseeing digital transformation, and leading an extensive cloud-first migration. Under his leadership, GS1 transitioned from a fragmented IT landscape to an integrated microservice-based platform, enhancing efficiency, security, and data quality. With expertise in agile methodologies, cybersecurity, and IT governance, Senne plays a key role in GS1’s innovation journey.

GS1's digital revolution: transforming product data management for a smarter supply chain
GS1 Belgium & Luxembourg is a non-profit organization that brings together companies across various industries, including retail, e-commerce, and healthcare. Their mission is to improve supply chain efficiency by providing global standards for identifying, capturing, and sharing assets and their data.
Six years ago, GS1 embarked on an ambitious transformation and
digitalization
journey to enhance these capabilities. As part of this effort GS1 has become the preferred
solution for
retailers to manage and exchange product information.
Retailers, such as Colruyt
Group,
are
increasingly adopting this solution as the unique platform to streamline data exchange,
reduce
errors, and
improve data quality. This transition enables greater efficiency, ensuring that product
information is
consistent, reliable, and easily accessible across the supply chain.
For whom is this session interesting?
C-level
IT leadership
Language: dutch

Sylviane Messiaen is Head of Airport ICT at Brussels Airport Company, leading the airport-specific ICT department. She oversees critical processes, including baggage handling, passenger flow monitoring, aircraft operations, cargo, and real estate.
With extensive experience in digital transformation and a strong focus on people management, she brings valuable expertise from KBC to enhance operational efficiency and innovation at Brussels Airport.

Brussels Airport Company
Flying towards a smarter airport, data & intelligence powered
CX/UX/Analyse
Airports are complex ecosystems where every second counts. At
Brussels
Airport,
we’re transforming the passenger experience with our Airport Operations Plan
(AOP)—a
smart, data-driven approach that optimizes flows for passengers, baggage, aircraft, and
mobility. From
reducing wait times to predicting potential disruptions before they happen, AOP ensures
seamless
and
stress-free travel.
Join us to discover how digital transformation is revolutionizing
airport
operations, enhancing efficiency, and creating a smoother journey for millions of travelers.
Because when
passengers travel hassle-free, everyone wins!
For whom is this session interesting?
All IT
Business and CX/UX enthusiasts
Language: English

Chris Clayton is Head of Business Improvement – Customs Europe at DB Schenker, specializing in customs automation, compliance, and process optimization. With a strong focus on AI and innovation, he helps businesses streamline operations and navigate regulatory challenges.

How AI is changing logistics
DB Schenker adapted the way they do customs by using AI, while keeping people in the driving seat.
For whom is this session interesting?
AI enthousiasts
Customs & Compliance Managers
Supply Chain & Logistics Professionals
Operations & Business Improvement Leaders
Technology & Innovation Specialists
Executives & Decision-Makers
Language: English

A lifelong developer advocate, community organizer and technology evangelist, Burr Sutter is a featured speaker at technology events around the globe—from Bangalore to Brussels and Berlin to Beijing (and most parts in between). He is currently Red Hat’s Chief Developer Evangelist. A Java Champion since 2005 and former president of the Atlanta Java User Group, Burr founded the DevNexus conference—now the second largest Java event in the U.S.—with the aim of making access to the world’s leading developers affordable to the developer community.

A developer's adventures in A.I. wonderland
Navigating the challenges of LLM integration in enterprise applications
Data & AI, Software Development
Let’s take a trip down the rabbit hole by integrating a LLM into an enterprise application and discover a blue smoking caterpillar, a smiling cat, and a red queen. A LLM can be an unreliable, unpredictable, unverifiable and an expensive participant within your microservices architecture.We will address some key areas you may encounter on your adventure such as hallucination detection and mitigation, CI/CD, observability, RAG (retrieval augmented generation), prompts, tools, fine-tuning and put you on a path to an agentic future.
For whom is this session interesting?
AI enthusiasts
Developers
Architects
Technical analysts
Language: English

Frederik Anseel is a Professor of Management and Dean of UNSW Business in Sydney, the number 1 Business School in Australia. Frederik studies how organizations and individuals change and learn from past experiences. He writes a biweekly column for the newspaper De Tijd and has been recognized by LinkedIn since 2023 as a global Top Voice to follow for expert advice on work and career.
The Big Leap Forward? Why People Are the Determining Factor in AI Solutions.
Psychology, Management Technology, Human-Machine Interactions.
For most companies, AI is no longer on the agenda—AI is the agenda. However, we are still waiting for that big productivity leap predicted by all the AI gurus. In this keynote, Professor Frederik Anseel explains why the AI revolution in organizations is progressing slower than anticipated. Based on the latest psychological research, Anseel argues that it's not the technology, but the human brain that is the biggest obstacle we need to overcome. The ultimate AI skill of the future is collaboration between humans and AI.
For whom is this session interesting?
CEOs
Chief HROs
Managing Directors
HR Directors
Language: dutch

Meet Kevin, a seasoned data professional with over 10 years of experience across various domains. Currently, he spearheads the Data & AI business unit. His passion for the field goes hand in hand with his drive and eagerness to work with his team to stay up to date with the latest developments in the data world.
Gertjan is an AI architect and strategist with an engineering background. He has a track record of Data Science and ML engineering roles in companies like Nike, Pringles, Argenta, GS1, Customaite. From AI strategies to roadmaps and products, Gertjan is engaged in enabling companies in their AI capability.
AI - another story about schwung.
AI, transformation.
ʃvʊŋ [m] (der ~), for those struggling with the pronunciation.
Yes, this is a another story about AI.
Yes, this is a another story about transformation.
And yes, this is a story about how we as AE use "schwung" to inspire, advise and co-create the (AI) stories of our partners.
We've been told that a good keynote summary unveils just enough to get you engaged, but no more to keep the mystical element alive. You to judge whether or not we achieved exactly that.
For whom is this session interesting?
CEOs, CTO’s, and CDOs
Digital Marketeers & Content strategists
Data Scientists & AI Engineers
HR- and Innovation managers
IT- and Business Consultants
Entrepreneurs and AI-enthousiasts
Language: dutch
Re:connect 2025
Navigate towards digital excellence
As your trusted partner in digital
excellence, we’ll take you on a journey through the latest trends and
innovations.
Buckle up for an unforgettable experience in the world of data and AI.
12:00 P.M.
2025
Interleuvenlaan 74,
Heverlee

Navigate towards digital excellence with AE
In today’s fast-paced landscape, the success of your business relies on finding the perfect combination between technology, people, and processes. As your trusted partner in Digital Excellence, we empower you to confidently navigate the complexities of your digital journey with ambition and expertise.
That’s why we created Re:connect—an experience designed to
explore the latest trends and innovations in areas like Data and AI, Virtual Assistants,
cloud platforms, and more.
Don’t miss the chance to secure your seat on board!
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The wings
data-led decision-making
The cockpit
and strategic master planning
The engines
and adaptive ways of working


Why you should come on board

Chart your path to inspiration
We’ve mapped out a diverse programme featuring a stellar lineup of distinguished speakers and experts from various fields.

Navigate to new connections
Exchange ideas, (re)connect with peers and forge new partnerships that could steer your business towards new opportunities and growth.

Elevate your skills
Whether you’re looking to explore the latest industry trends or dive into niche topics, our experts will equip you with the insights to stay ahead of the curve.

A smooth landing with fun
After an enriching day of learning and networking, unwind and let loose at our exclusive AE festival Scrumrock.

Your flight plan for Re:connect
With an outstanding lineup of distinguished speakers and expert insights, Re:connect is your opportunity to spark inspiration, build valuable connections, and enjoy a little fun along the way.
-
Agenda

Opening Keynote

Artificial intelligence: the opportunities, challenges and future

Expert keynote

AI - another story about schwung
Director data & AI
AI/ML Architect


Customer stories
Crelan

A glimpse into Crelan’s digital future: from a successful merger to a data-driven transformation
KU Leuven

From theory to practice: why the textbook is not enough
SD Worx

AskMe: Intelligent Virtual Assistants (IVA) transform documentation into a driver of innovation
Techstage: Gregor Hohpe
(Architect
Elevator)

Platforms: defying the laws of IT physics


Customer stories
GS1

GS1's Digital revolution: transforming product data management for a smarter supply chain
CEO
IT Director
Brussels Airport Company

Flying towards a smarter airport, data & intelligence powered
DB Schenker

How AI is changing logistics
Techstage: Burr Sutter (Red Hat)

A developer's adventures in A.I. wonderland


Closing Keynote

The big leap forward? Why people are the determining factor in AI solutions

Closing Event





Notable participants and groovy guests
Register for Re:connect 2025
Book your seat and secure your spot at Re:connect 2025 now by completing the registration form below.
