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Welcome to a special episode of AI Unscripted, recorded during our recent strategy session in Antwerp. This conversation brings together leading voices to explore the urgency, risks, and opportunities of the AI revolution—and what it means for your business, your teams, and the future of work.

Panelists Xavier Verhaeghe, Rik Vera, Joris Van Der Gucht and Prof. Dr. Ann Nowé draw compelling parallels between the current AI wave and the early days of the internet, noting that AI is an active, rapidly evolving tool that demands swift action from organisations. Unlike previous technological shifts, AI’s accessibility allows even small teams to build impactful products quickly, reducing barriers to innovation and enabling a new generation of creators.

The discussion highlights the importance of responsible AI adoption, focusing on transparency, explainability, and the need for interdisciplinary collaboration. Social scientists and technologists are working together to address bias and make sure AI aligns with human values. Human input remains essential, guiding AI systems and validating their outcomes, especially as large language models become more prevalent in business and daily life.

Real-world examples showcase how AI’s reshaping industries, from gaming—where AI enhances user engagement—to professional services—where clients increasingly seek validation of AI-generated advice. The panel acknowledged the unpredictable pace of AI’s evolution, urging leaders to foster a growth mindset and embrace experimentation.

Ultimately, the session underscores the critical role of leadership in navigating AI-driven change. Storytelling, vision, and engagement are key to overcoming resistance and making sure organisations thrive ethically and responsibly in the age of AI.

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What does it take to reinvent a bank for the AI era? In this episode, we sit down with Johan Thijs, CEO of KBC Group, who shares how his background in applied mathematics and actuarial science shaped a bold, data-driven strategy for one of Europe’s leading financial institutions.

Johan explains how KBC’s virtual assistant, Kate, was designed to proactively solve customer problems, not just answer questions. The goal: zero hassle, zero friction, and instant solutions—like blocking a lost credit card and issuing a new one in minutes, all without human intervention. He demystifies the investment behind Kate, clarifying that the real cost lies in the infrastructure, not the AI itself, and shares how initial skepticism from staff gave way to widespread adoption as the benefits became clear.

We challenge the common view that AI is just for back-office efficiency. Johan argues that starting with customer-facing solutions delivers the biggest impact, and that KBC’s approach—using AI first to drive sales and value—helped secure buy-in and measurable returns. He warns that Europe risks falling behind global tech giants unless it gets smarter about data sharing and regulation and stresses the importance of trust: KBC never sells customer data, using it only to personalize and anticipate needs.

Johan also shares his optimism for the future, urging everyone to keep learning as AI reshapes cognitive work. He highlights KBC’s internal AI-powered training platform, Stipple, which helps staff match their skills to future roles. The episode closes with practical advice: focus on customer needs, adapt as technology evolves, and embrace the blend of human and machine intelligence. If you want to see how AI can transform not just processes but the entire customer experience, this conversation is essential for listening.

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What if the quickest route to AI success isn't about building new systems. We sit down with Thierry Geerts, CEO of Beci, Brussels Chamber of Commerce and former Google Belgium director, to explore why small businesses in Brussels might be better placed than large corporations to harness AI's potential right now. Thierry argues convincingly for practical use over invention, suggesting that the region's high wages and pragmatic talent make ready-made AI tools a strategic advantage.

We challenge the myths surrounding AI-driven job loss and examine the Brussels labour market with fresh data. Thierry reveals how his team used AI to uncover around 100,000 open positions—showing that the job gap is more about discovery and matching than scarcity. From automated translation that prepares businesses for export to AI copilots enhancing customer relationships, he explains how leaders should view AI as an opportunity first, then a tool for efficiency. The key is adoption: empower your team, redesign workflows, and measure the gains so that time saved translates into value created.

Thierry also introduces Homo Digitalis, a mindset recognising that employees already engage with AI in their personal lives. Companies that restrict tools at work create a cultural mismatch and lose momentum. We discuss what Belgium needs next — not another hype cycle, but a clear AI master plan connecting universities, policy, and businesses for long-term value. Looking five years ahead, AI should feel as familiar as your smartphone—some teams will lead because they started small, learned quickly, and expanded what worked. If you're seeking a plan that's grounded, measurable, and human-centred, this conversation is your guide.

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While skepticism often grabs attention, data may reveal a different narrative. A select group of companies is already harnessing AI to create tangible business value. We delve into new survey insights with Xavier Verhaeghe to explore why these companies are leading, how they organise their initiatives, and what it takes to transition from isolated trials to significant results. The key is clear: view AI as a transformative force, not just a tool.

We outline the strategies successful leaders employ. It begins with a compelling "why" linked to enhancing customer experience and boosting revenue, rather than merely cutting costs. Next is targeted execution: choose a few high-impact processes, redesign them comprehensively, and safeguard resources with a dedicated transformation office.

Looking forward, agentic AI is already in use for specific applications, moving from "human in the loop" to human oversight, with agents monitoring agents for quality. This shift challenges leaders to rethink governance, monitoring, and risk management. It also transforms talent. Generalists, armed with AI, can now provide value previously reserved for experts. Boards that move past headlines to genuine urgency invest in reskilling, redefine roles, and align AI with strategic goals.

Looking to refine your plan—focus deeply on fewer initiatives, measure outcomes that matter to customers, and align business and AI leadership? This discussion offers a clear starting point and practical guidance. Subscribe, share with a colleague responsible for a key process, and leave a review with the one process you'd transform first.

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AI alone won't revolutionise a business just because the tools are available. We explore how Microsoft transitioned from trial phases of AI to achieving tangible results—and why governance, training, and clear KPIs are crucial in moving from novelty to tangible outcomes. With insights from Marijke Schroos, General Manager, Microsoft Belgium and Luxembourg, and Michiel De Keyzer, a Director at PwC, we delve into daily adoption mechanics, from leader-driven prompt sharing to community building and weekly reports that push usage beyond 90%.

Our discussion goes beyond buzzwords to reveal how teams truly capture value. We explore how to align AI with specific processes and challenges, establish baselines, and assess outcomes like cycle time, quality, and risk reduction. You'll discover how engineering advancements can be transformed into industry-specific solutions across finance, HR, legal, and procurement, and why AI is now a business-driven agenda with IT ensuring security, architecture, and data readiness. You can also take a glimpse into how local market feedback informs product development, while public sector constraints inspire practical innovations like fraud detection and service productivity.

Trust and responsibility are at the core of every decision. This episode covers data classification, access controls, content policies, and review boards that mitigate bias and misuse—alongside training that empowers individuals to verify sources and question outputs. Education emerges as a key driver, with teachers and students using AI to enhance critical thinking rather than bypass it. Looking forward, agentic workflows will reshape work structures as teams learn to manage fleets of agents. With the addition of quantum computing, breakthroughs in fields like Pharma could accelerate significantly, displaying results rather than interfaces.

If you're committed to AI adoption, this is your guide: establish boundaries, aim for impact, measure what counts, and combine human insight with machine efficiency.

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Season two of AI Unscripted begins with a deep dive into how artificial intelligence is transforming the business landscape and the early career experience. Host Patrick is joined by Oscar Monville, a junior cloud data and AI expert at PwC, who shares his unique perspective as part of the first generation to enter the workforce with AI as a daily reality.

Oscar’s Journey: From University to PwC
Oscar recounts his academic background in digital business at the University of Namur, where AI tools like ChatGPT became central to student life. While AI was not formally part of the curriculum, it was a frequent topic thanks to engaged professors and curious classmates. Oscar describes how students learned to use AI critically—balancing curiosity, experimentation, and the need to maintain academic integrity.

AI in the Workplace: Tools, Efficiency, and Learning
Transitioning to PwC, Oscar explains why he chose the company for its growth opportunities and willingness to invest in new talent. He details his daily use of AI for brainstorming, translation, and idea generation, relying on secure, bespoke PwC tools. Oscar discusses the challenge of balancing efficiency with personal development, as automation changes the nature of entry-level work and the traditional learning process.

Generational Differences and Human Skills
The discussion highlights generational contrasts in AI adoption. Oscar notes that digital natives adapt quickly, while more experienced professionals must adjust established habits. He stresses the ongoing importance of human skills—such as client interaction, argumentation, and pitching—that AI cannot replace, and the need to remain critical of AI-generated outputs.

Ethical and Environmental Considerations
Oscar addresses the ethical and environmental impact of AI, making conscious choices about when to use energy-intensive features like image generation. He emphasises the importance of necessity over convenience and the responsibility to use AI thoughtfully.

Looking Ahead: The Future of AI and Work
The episode concludes with rapid-fire questions on personal boundaries, overhyped and underrated AI technologies, and predictions for 2027. Oscar foresees AI becoming ubiquitous but stresses the need for upskilling and maintaining human connection and value in the workplace.

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Welcome to this episode of AI Unscripted, where the focus turns to the impact of artificial intelligence on the tax profession. Host Patrick is joined by Laurens, a director with a background in accounting and tax compliance, for a practical discussion on how AI is reshaping tax functions, from efficiency gains to strategic transformation.

Key topics include:

• AI in the tax function: Laurens explains how AI is already integrated into daily tax work, supporting both efficiency and enhanced analysis, and handling large volumes of structured and unstructured data. 2:21
• Tools and technology: The conversation covers the use of general AI solutions like Copilot and specialised tax tools such as Harvey, including the benefits of ring-fenced environments for data security and the development of territory-specific models for improved accuracy. 7:04
• Balancing efficiency and quality: Patrick and Laurens discuss the dual role of AI in automating routine tasks and elevating the quality of tax analysis, with examples of measurable improvements in accuracy when using advanced AI models. 7:40
• Adoption challenges and upskilling: The episode addresses the need for upskilling, the importance of critical thinking, and strategies for training both generalists and specialists within tax teams to ensure future readiness. 11:06
• Strategic implementation: Insights are shared on how organisations - large and small - can develop a clear tax technology strategy, align it with business goals, and avoid the pitfalls of adopting AI purely out of fear of missing out. 16:49
• SMEs vs. multinationals: The discussion highlights differences in AI adoption between large companies and SMEs, noting that agility and focus can offset budget constraints for smaller organisations. 18:23
• AI as a sparring partner: Laurens shares how AI tools can help reduce uncertainty in complex tax scenarios by enabling scenario analysis and supporting nuanced decision-making. 21:21
• Gamification and engagement: The episode introduces the "AI flag" gamification initiative, designed to encourage hands-on learning and adoption of AI tools within tax teams. 22:43
• The future of tax professionals: Patrick and Laurens reflect on the evolving role of tax experts, the enduring need for human judgement, and why a career in tax remains relevant and exciting in the age of AI. 23:24

Join us for an insightful look at how AI is transforming the tax landscape, the practical realities of adoption, and what it means for the future of tax professionals.

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Welcome to episode 10 of our AI Unscripted series, where host Patrick explores the evolving role of artificial intelligence in education and the early stages of professional life. This episode offers a candid look at how students and young professionals are engaging with AI, both in their studies and as they embark on their careers.

Key topics include:

• AI in the classroom: Hugues and Cosme share their personal experiences with AI at university, discussing how students use AI tools for programming, research, and report writing, and reflecting on the challenges and opportunities this brings to higher education. 2:14
• Bridging the gap: The conversation highlights the lag between academic curricula and the rapid pace of AI adoption, with insights into how universities are beginning to adapt and the importance of fostering critical thinking skills. 4:04
• Workplace realities: The episode explores how AI is being used in consulting and business environments, the maturity of organisations in leveraging data, and the balance between efficiency gains and true innovation. 12:01
• Ethical and practical considerations: The speakers discuss the risks of over-reliance on AI, the importance of maintaining personal skills, and the environmental impact of AI technologies. 18:06
• Looking ahead: Hugues and Cosme share their perspectives on the future of AI, the rise of AI agents, and the evolving role of humans in supervising and collaborating with intelligent systems. 14:59

Join us for an honest and practical discussion on how AI is shaping the next generation of learners and professionals, and what it means for the future of work and education.

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