Speakers
Valérie Deridder
Valérie Deridder is the moderator of the conference and a journalist at Knack, with a strong focus on the social impact of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence. She explores how tech developments shape society and individuals, and is a sought-after speaker on ethics, digital transformation, and the human side of AI.
Moderator
Frank Moreels
Frank Moreels is currently national president of BTB-ABVV, the Belgian transport workers’ union. From May 2017 till May 2025 he was president of the European Transport Workers’ Federation(ETF). As from 2027 he will be taking lead as president of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF).
Introduction – Thursday, May 15 – 9:30am
Closing statement – Friday, May 16 – 11:50am
Dominique Deckmyn
Dominique Deckmyn is a Belgian technology journalist at De Standaard, where he writes columns and features on digital innovation and society. He is also known from the weekly podcast Bits & Atomen and previously served as editor-in-chief of IT Professional and Smart Business Strategies.
What is AI? – Thursday, May 15 – 9:50am
Andrew Byrne
Andrew Byrne is Global Head of Public Policy at Uber, where he leads the company’s engagement with governments and regulators worldwide. Since joining Uber in 2014, he has helped shape policy on automation, digital platforms, and the future of work across more than 45 countries. Before Uber, he advised major tech and media companies on public affairs in the UK.
AI in transport – Thursday, May 15 – 10:50am
Stefania Marassi
Stefania Marassi is a Senior Lecturer in European Labour Law at The Hague University of Applied Sciences and a PhD candidate at Leiden University. As a legal expert in AI and labour law, she focuses on the implications of automation and algorithmic management in the transport sector.
AI in transport – Thursday, May 15 – 10:50am
Erik Lamoral
Erik Lamoral is Chief Information Officer at H.Essers, a leading European logistics and transport company specializing in sectors like healthcare and chemicals. He leads the company’s digital transformation, focusing on technologies like AI to boost operational efficiency and innovation.
AI in transport – Thursday, May 15 – 10:50am
Stefano Malorgio
Stefano Malorgio is General Secretary of FILT-CGIL, Italy’s main transport union. He played a key role in securing a collective agreement with Amazon — a breakthrough in the platform economy that marked a smart and strategic union victory for better working conditions.
Challenges for Trade Unions – Thursday, May 15 – 1:30pm
Baker Khundakji
Baker Khundakji is a Future of Work and Transport Specialist at the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF). She focuses on how emerging technologies, including AI and automation, are reshaping transport jobs and workers’ rights globally.
Challenges for Trade Unions – Thursday, May 15 – 2:00pm
Simon Taes
Simon Taes is a labour sociologist with expertise in digitalisation and labour rights. His research explores the impact of technology on working conditions, power relations, and the role of unions in a changing world of work.
Challenges for Trade Unions – Thursday, May 15 – 2:00pm
Veena Dubal
Veena Dubal (University of California) – Professor of Law and expert in technology, labour rights, and the platform economy. Her research exposes the impact of algorithmic control on workers, from Uber drivers to warehouse staff, offering sharp insights into the legal and social struggles surrounding AI and the future of work.
Challenges for Trade Unions – Thursday, May 15 – 2:00pm
Sandra Gabriels
Sandra Gabriels is a legal expert at BTB-ABVV & ABVV-Metaal, specialising in labour law and technology. She advises on the legal and privacy implications of AI in the workplace.
Challenges for Trade Unions – Thursday, May 15 – 2:00pm
Alessio Bertolini
Dr. Alessio Bertolini is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Oxford Internet Institute, where he is part of the Fairwork project, focusing on platform work in the UK and Germany. His expertise lies in comparative labour market policies and the regulation of non-standard work.
Challenges for Trade Unions – Thursday, May 15 – 3:15pm
Estelle Ceulemans
Estelle Ceulemans is a Member of the European Parliament for the Belgian Socialist Party (PS). She focuses on social justice, workers’ rights, and democratic governance at the EU level. Before joining the European Parliament, she served as secretary-general of the Brussels socialist union federation.
Social impact of AI – Thursday, May 15 – 3:50pm
Brando Benifei
Brando Benifei is an Italian politician serving as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) of the S&D alliance. He serves as the Parliament’s lead rapporteur on the Artificial Intelligence Act, focusing on AI regulation within the European Union.
Social impact of AI – Thursday, May 15 – 4:05pm
Patrick Glauner
Patrick Glauner is a German computer scientist and Full Professor of Artificial Intelligence at Deggendorf Institute of Technology. He is a vocal critic of specific AI regulation, arguing that existing laws are sufficient and warning that overregulation could stifle innovation.
Social impact of AI – Thursday, May 15 – 4:05pm
Patrick Van den Branden
Patrick Van den Branden is a cybersecurity specialist with extensive experience in securing complex logistics and industrial operations. As Group IT Security Officer at a major international shipping and logistics company, he develops and implements cybersecurity strategies to protect critical infrastructure.
Cyber security & AI – Thursday, May 15 – 4:40pm
Thierry Geerts
Thierry Geerts is the CEO of BECI (Brussels Enterprises, Commerce and Industry), a position he assumed in 2024 after more than 12 years as Country Director for Google Belgium and Luxembourg. He is also the author of ‘Homo Digitalis’ (2021), exploring the impact of digital transformation on society.
AI at a crossroads: ethics, climate and the future – Friday, May 16 – 9:30am
Lode Lauwaert
Dr Lode Lauwaert is an Assistant Professor of Philosophy of Technology at KU Leuven’s Institute of Philosophy and holds the Chair Ethics and AI. His research lies at the intersection of philosophy of technology, ethics, and philosophical anthropology, with a particular emphasis on the ethical implications of AI.
AI at a crossroads: ethics, climate and the future – Friday, May 16 – 10:00am
Tim De Grom
Tim De Grom is a training officer at ABVV-Metaal who is developing expertise in the use of AI within trade union work. He focuses on how artificial intelligence can enhance worker representation and internal processes.
How can AI help trade unions? – Friday, May 16 – 10:35am
Becky Wright
Becky Wright is the Executive Director of Unions 21, an organization dedicated to enhancing the effectiveness and innovation of trade unions. In her role, she leads strategic initiatives that address contemporary challenges faced by unions, including the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into the workplace.
How can AI help trade unions? – Friday, May 16 – 10:35am
Stephen Cotton
Stephen Cotton is the general secretary of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) – a global union federation of 677 trade unions representing 19.7 million workers in 149 countries in the seafaring, port, road, rail, tourism and aviation sectors.
How can AI help trade unions? – Friday, May 16 – 10:35am
WHAI? 2025
Workers, Unions & the Algorithmic Shift
