In the framework of the European AI week 2026 organised by the SPF/FOD BOSA, BELSPO is pleased to invite you to its event dedicated to AI in Science. It will address some key questions about the potential of AI for science, both for researchers and research organisations: how can AI transform the conduct as well as the communication of research? How to deal with ethics when it comes to using AI in scientific research? Which opportunities does the EU offer to foster AI uptake in research? How to combine open science, generative AI and research security in the conduct of scientific research?
This event will be in English and is open to researchers, research organisations, policymakers, AI experts and enthusiasts, and to all who are curious about the potential of AI for Science.
| Time | Session | Speaker |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction (5 min) | ||
| 14:00 - 14:05 | Welcome and scene setter | Marc Vanholsbeeck, Director of the Federal, Interfederal and International Coordination Department, Belgian Science Policy Office (BELSPO) |
| Presentations (50 min) | ||
| 14:05 - 14:15 | Flattery and Pitfalls of AI in Science : LLMs in Science, the elephant in the room [Presentation] |
Andres Algaba, Professor at the Data Analytics Lab of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel |
| 14:15 - 14:25 | A European Strategy for AI in Science & RAISE | Mathilde Thiery, Policy Officer, DG RTD, European Commission |
| 14:25 - 14:35 | Transparency for what and whom: open access, open source, OpenAI? [Presentation] |
Ine Van Zeeland, Senior researcher at imec-SMIT, Vrije Universiteit Brussel |
| 14:35 - 14:45 | Use case 1: The potential use of AI in gravitational waves research and the future Einstein Telescope [Presentation] |
Justin Janquart, Professor at Université Catholique de Louvain and Researcher at the Royal Observatory of Belgium |
| 14:45 - 14:55 | Use case 2: AI and cultural heritage research [Presentation] |
Julie Birkholz, Associate Professor Digital Humanities at Universiteit Gent and Lead of the Royal Library of Belgium’s Digital Research Lab |
| Coffee break (30 min) | ||
| Panel discussion (40 min) | ||
| 15:25 - 16:05 | Panel discussion around guiding questions asked by the moderator | Marc Vanholsbeeck, BELSPO (moderator) and all speakers |
| Q&A (10 min) | ||
| 16:05 - 16:15 | Questions and answers session with the audience | Marc Vanholsbeeck, BELSPO (moderator) and all speakers |
When AI meets science:
opportunities, risks and ethics for research communities
Practical information:
Date: 18 March 2026
Location: Royal Library of Belgium – KBR, Brussels (onsite event)
Time: 14h00-16h15 CET
Registration:
Registrations for this event are now closed.
