Niels Rogge

On Tuesday, Alexandre de Streel (CERRE Academic Director) and Friso Bostoen (CERRE Researcher and Tilburg University) presented two recent CERRE papers on: 📄 AI Agents 📄 AI, Cloud and Competition They shared their insights during Session 3, AI Market Concentration and Competition Policy, at The GW Competition & Innovation Lab conference “AI Governance: Between Competition and Regulation.” Their contributions enriched discussions on: ✅ Market concentration across AI supply chains ✅ The AI Act’s implementation ✅ The future of competition policy in digital markets 👉 Explore CERRE’s research here: https://lnkd.in/evGRW2Cp

71

🇧🇪 🌐 Belgium #AI Ecosystem Brief – 2025 Edition 🤖 📊 AI & Partners presents the “#AI Ecosystem Brief – Belgium,” a strategic overview of Belgium’s federated approach to artificial intelligence—blending regional innovation, legal foresight, and EU-level alignment. Anchored by the AI4Belgium initiative and the National Convergence Plan, the brief highlights how Belgium is advancing responsible, human-centric #AI across public and private domains. 📅 As Belgium positions itself to operationalize the European Commission's EU #AI Act, this edition unpacks the country’s multi-level governance model, regional #AI strategies (Flanders, Wallonia, Brussels), and key enablers driving ethical #AI deployment and research excellence. 💡 Designed for regulators, founders, investors, and digital policymakers, this brief illuminates Belgium’s pragmatic path to AI readiness—where legal trust meets technological ambition. 🔎 What You’ll Find in the Brief: ✅ Belgium’s federated governance for #AI aligned with EU regulatory frameworks ✅ How Flanders, Wallonia, and Brussels are shaping distinct but cohesive #AI strategies ✅ Strategic investments in public sector transformation, ethics, and #AI for Green ✅ Tools empowering SMEs, startups, and nonprofits in #AI adoption ✅ Gaps and next steps to scale commercialization, deep-tech leadership, and SME access 📌 Highlights from Belgium’s #AI Ecosystem: 📍 Ethics-by-design and regulatory sandboxes embedded in AI4Belgium FARI 📍 Regionally tailored support via DIHs, VLAIO, and DigitalWallonia4.ai 📍 #AI literacy goals targeting 100,000 citizens in Flanders 📍 Advanced #AI testbeds in healthcare, mobility, and urban analytics 📍 Active shaping of global #AI norms via EU #AI Board, OECD - OCDE, UNESCO 🚀 This brief delivers a grounded, future-ready view of Belgium’s #AI trajectory—built on inclusion, governance clarity, and ecosystem coordination. 👏 Special thanks to our contributors and expert community! 🔵 Sean Musch, AI & Partners 🔵 Michael Charles Borrelli, AI & Partners 🔵 Charles Kerrigan, CMS UK 🔵 Danny Van Roijen, EU Public Policy 🔵 Robert Jacquet, PMP, Global Governance Expert 🔵 Ansgar Koene, EY 🔵 Nadja El Fertasi, Thrive with EQ 🔵 Jeremy Rollison, Microsoft 🔵 Daniel Friedlaender, CCIA Europe 🔵 Edward Taelman, Crowell & Moring 🔵 Stefan Morcov, PhD, #Hermix 🔵 Nadia SIMION, NSI, Inc. National Security Innovations 🔵 Patrick Van Renterghem, HOWEST University of Applied Sciences 🔵 Sagar Singamsetty, #STRIDE 🔵 Cristina Vanberghen, European Commission 🔵 Louis de Diesbach, Technology Ethicist and Author 🔵 Enzo Ghisoni, Botronics 🔵 Bart Van Rompaye, KPMG 🔵 Nadine Soyez, Designing AI Heroes ------------------------------- ✨ 📢 For support navigating EU #AI Act implementation or boosting your #AI governance and compliance strategy, follow us on LinkedIn or contact us at [email protected]. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/e4tnSJse #ethics #AI #digital #governance #transparency

162

17 Comments

🚀 Cegeka joins the Belux Agentic AI Lab, teaming up with Microsoft to help companies turn GenAI ideas into working solutions — in just six weeks. From setting up landing zones to building prototypes, Cegeka and Microsoft guide organizations with hands-on support, technical expertise, and funding opportunities through Azure Innovate. 📍In this blog by Daisy Romih, learn how Cegeka and Microsoft turn GenAI ideas into real business impact — and how you can join the journey. Read the full story 👉 https://lnkd.in/eSGmiszq #GenerativeAI #AzureInnovate #AITransformation #Copilot #shapingdigitaltogether

66

Today, we are proud to announce a new chapter: Appbites is now Sigma Technology Southeast Europe. This rebranding reflects our closer alignment with the global Sigma Technology Group and our ambition to expand further in the region. 💬 “This rebranding is more than a name change. It’s a signal of our commitment to grow, integrate, and deliver world-class IT services from Southeast Europe,” says Arianit Pajaziti, President at Sigma Technology Southeast Europe. 💬 “Kosovo has one of the youngest and most tech-savvy populations in Europe. The team in Pristina brings exceptional talent and energy, and we see great potential in becoming one of the top three employers in Kosovo within the next three years,” adds Niklas Malmros, President of Sigma Technology Solutions Group. With its headquarters in Pristina, Kosovo, Sigma Technology Southeast Europe will continue to offer flexible delivery models — nearshore hubs, dedicated project teams, and individual specialists. Appbites - part of Sigma Technology Group #Kosovo #TechGrowth #ITConsulting #BalkansTech

176

3 Comments

🚀 Antwerp’s Startup Ecosystem – Q2 2025 (Dealroom data)   According to the latest figures from Dealroom, Stad Antwerpen continues to prove itself as a thriving hub for #innovation, #entrepreneurship, and #investment. Here’s where we stand mid-2025:    ➡️747 startups with a combined ecosystem value of €5.4 billion ➡️37 university spinouts worth €720 million in total ➡️33 startups with female founders, valued at €600 million ➡️42 impact startups aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, together worth €516 million ➡️3 exits in Q2 2025 ➡️€17.7 million raised in 5 funding rounds during Q2 (mainly early-stage and Series B) ➡️Funding sources YTD 2025: 65.3% domestic, 13% USA, 11.7% Europe ➡️Top funded sectors (2024–2025): Health, Energy, Home Living, Transport, Media 💬Sacha Govaert of Antwerp's Health Hub dunden: “Antwerp’s latest startup figures are more than numbers, they show that health is one of our city’s most dynamic and well-funded sectors. At Dunden, we see this every day as health innovators join forces across industries, proving that bold partnerships and collaboration are the catalysts for sustainable growth and global impact. If you’d like to explore Dunden's health ecosystem - or simply grab a coffee and exchange ideas - you know where to find me .” Get inspired by a startup that turned local roots into global impact. 👉https://lnkd.in/eZD2ZgkR #AntwerpInnovationPowerhouse #Startups #Ecosystem #QuarterlyUpdate moonbird #dunden #dealroom #InvestInAntwerp #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #Impact #HealthTech #SustainableGrowth

66

2 Comments

Ready for some eye-opening data on Belgium's cybersecurity market?    As October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, it’s the perfect time to reflect on how our industry continues to grow and strengthen Belgium's digital resilience. That’s exactly what Agoria did. After three years, they released their second ‘Socio-economic study of the Belgian cybersecurity market’, and the insights show a remarkable growth: - 732 cybersecurity companies (+54% since 2021) - €2.61 billion in sector sales (+65%) - 9,750 jobs (+52%) - 1,170 open vacancies  - 42.8% of companies still see employee awareness as the top risk Talent remains in high demand, and education is key to close the skills gap: 50 academic programs (+13.6% in a year) and 40+ professional trainings are shaping the next generation of cyber experts. Let’s keep building Belgium’s digital resilience together!   Discover the complete report, including the input of our own Wouter Vandenbussche as member of the steering committee of Cyber Made in Belgium (#CMiB). NL: https://lnkd.in/ekfi2vUi FR: https://lnkd.in/etGU_GTB

61

1 Comment