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Leaders Connect Benelux

Join us on May 14 at Taets Art and Event Park for a curated program that brings together executive industry leaders to discuss their business challenges.

Thank you for your interest. Registration is now closed.

8:30–16:30 CEST

Middenweg 62 Hembrugterrein

1505RK Zaandam

In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, staying ahead of the curve with AI is not just an advantage, it's imperative. Leaders Connect offers a unique opportunity to step away from the day-to-day and immerse yourself in strategic discussions with peers facing similar challenges. This is a chance to not only gain insights into cutting-edge AI solutions and best practices but also to actively shape the future of AI adoption within your own organization. 


We believe your perspective and experience will be invaluable to the conversation, and we're eager to facilitate a collaborative environment where you can learn, share, and innovate.


Please bring your laptop to participate in the hands-on workshop on AI in leadership as part of the program.

Agenda (08:30 - 16:30)

08:30–09:30

Welcome & Registration

Please join us for a light breakfast and networking at our Google Cloud Lounge

09:30–10:45

Summit Keynote

10:45–11:05

Coffee break & Transition to Leaders Connect

11:05–11:10

Opening Leaders Connect

Speakers:

Anthony Cirot, VP EMEA South (Google Cloud)

Joost Smit, Country Lead Benelux (Google Cloud)

11:10–11:30

The AI Imperative: Modernize or Be Left Behind

The future belongs to those who embrace AI. That's why Google is at the forefront, demonstrating how Google Cloud bridges the gap between your existing data & infrastructure and the transformative power of AI. Discover how  to eliminate inefficiencies, ignite innovation, and construct the five core elements that will define your organization's dominance in the years to come.


Speaker: John Abel, Managing Director, Specialized Software (Google Cloud)

11:30–12:00

AI in Context: Interactive Showcase

Discover how Google's Agentspace platform unifies information access and streamlines AI agent management to boost enterprise productivity. Through demos, including the innovative NotebookLM feature, this session showcases practical AI research capabilities, revealing the tangible value of Agentspace.


Speakers:

Marjam Bahari, Customer Engineer AI (Google Cloud)

Floor Eigenhuis, AI Field Solution Architect (Google Cloud)

12:00–13:00

Networking Lunch

13:00–13:30

AI Leadership [Workshop]

Please bring your laptop!


Speaker: John Abel, Managing Director, Specialized Software (Google Cloud)

13:30–13:45

AI Risk & Ethics by Deloitte

Understand the causes behind AI risks and how organisations can (and are) effectively mitigating them. 


Speaker: Jan-Jan Lowijs, Director (Deloitte)

13:45–14:10

The AI Cybersecurity Challenge

Explore the dual-edged nature of AI in cyber security: we will deliberate on the potential of AI in fortifying cyber defences, enhancing threat detection and response capabilities, while also looking into the ways adversaries are harnessing AI to orchestrate more sophisticated and stealthier attacks. 


Speaker: John Stone, Director,Office of the CISO (Google Cloud)

14:10–14:30

Break

14:30–15:00

Securing Your Future in a Fragmented World

This session covers the legal, technical, and operational dimensions of cloud sovereignty – including data and digital sovereignty:

  • We'll explore its rising importance in protecting against foreign interference, ensuring resilience, and addressing compliance. 
  • Learn about encryption, access control, exit strategies, and the role of AI, blockchain, and quantum computing. 


Speakers: 

Christian-Marc Lifländer, Head of Defence Policy section (NATO)

Gerard Hoffmann, CEO for Luxembourg (Proximus)

Laura Nuhaan, Cloud Lead & Sovereign Cloud Lead (Accenture)

Julien Blanchez, Digital Sovereignty Solutions Lead (Google Cloud)

Kurt Rommens, Head of Government and Public Sector Benelux (Google Cloud)

15:00-15:10

Closing Leaders Connect

15:10-18:00

Networking & Guided AI Playground Tour