Session 6 - Creative Futures: Envisioning AI, Data and Robotics' Role in Culture, Arts, and Society

MODERATOR

Prof. at Vrije Universiteit Brussel & Sociologist at imec-SMIT

An Jacobs, Ph.D., is a sociologist working at SMIT since 2005. Currently she is a part time Associate Professor in the Department of Media and Communication Studies, teaching Interpretative research methods at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) in Belgium. She is also Principal Investigator at the research centre SMIT (Studies on Media, Innovation and Technology). In this position, she is Program manager of the Data and Society program, and an interim unit leader of the research unit “ Digital Health and Work” in close cooperation with imec (Belgian/Flemish R&D and innovation hub in nanoelectronics and digital technology).

SPEAKER

Assistant Professor of Robotics at University of Michigan

Patrícia Alves-Oliveira is an Assistant Professor of Robotics at the University of Michigan, where she leads the Robot Studio, a research lab focused on creating robots that empower and enhance human well-being, including physical and mental health, and creativity. Patricia’s interdisciplinary background unifies the fields of Robotics, Design, and Psychology. Her research received three Best Paper Awards at the ACM/IEEE International Conference on Human-Robot Interaction, and she has been involved in the organization of multiple Scientific Conferences and Workshops in the field of Human-Robot Interaction. She co-founded Talking Robotics and is now a volunteer in Open Style Lab.

SPEAKER

Artistic Director & curator at KIKK Festival, TRAKK, Le Pavillon & AfriKIKK & Member of de Digital Arts & Visual Arts Commission of Wallonia-Brussels Federation as well as of the Arts Commission of Wallonia.

Marie du Chastel is an art curator and expert in digital and new media art. She leads the programming for KIKK, a non-profit association that explores the intersections of art, science, technology, and society. Marie curates the KIKK Festival in Namur, Belgium. She also spearheads the AfriKIKK project, showcasing digital creativity from Africa, the Maghreb, and their diasporas. Additionally, she curates Le Pavillon, a permanent exhibition space featuring artistic works, scientific research, and business prototypes. Marie manages KIKK’s artistic production platform, producing and disseminating art globally, and contributes to various other projects, including the creative hub and Fab Lab TRAKK in Namur. Since 2014, she has been a member of the Digital Arts Commission of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation and was named Francophone Woman of the Year 2020 by the AIMF.

SPEAKER

Director of Development at Histovery

After studying at Dauphine and ESSEC Business School (ranked second in France), Raphaël Marchou worked as a Cultural Heritage Business Developer at Sketchfab in New York City, the world's first platform for 3D models. He advocated for the integration of 3D technologies in museum exhibits and monuments, such as the Met, the British Museum, and the Réunion des Musées Nationaux (including the Louvre and Orsay). In 2014, he became a filmmaker and directed his first documentary, "En Face", as a member of the Cinemakhia collective. The film focuses on the changes and transformations brought about by the daily arrival of thousands of migrants in Kleio, a village in Lesbos, Greece. Passionate about using new technologies to make culture and history accessible to all, he joined Histovery as a Business Developer, filmmaker, photographer, and photogrammetrist. He was promoted to Director of Development in 2021 to contribute to the development of the world-leading provider of "Augmented Visit" solutions for the cultural industry. The HistoPad is used in major cultural destinations by millions of visitors, mostly in France, but also in Germany. With its new Augmented Exhibitions concept using the HistoPad, the company is also active internationally, including in the USA. HistoPad has received many international awards and recognition for its unique ability to transform visitors' experiences inside museums and monuments into an interactive journey through time, history, and knowledge.

SPEAKER

Director of Development at Ask Mona

Sophia Baladi is an expert in audience engagement and museum marketing, currently serving as Head of Sales at Ask Mona, where she leverages her experience to promote gen AI-driven solutions for cultural mediation. With a Master’s in Marketing and a Bachelor in Cultural Heritage, she has held significant roles in Marketing and CRM at both prominent cultural institutions such as Réunion des musées nationaux - Grand Palais, and reputable tech start-ups as Arenametrix CRM.

At Ask Mona, her mission is to make culture more accessible and immersive through tools like interactive chatbots and smart magnets. Her innovative approach continues to transform how cultural institutions connect with their audiences.