Science & Cocktails - The challenges of Artificial Intelligence - with Benoît Frenay and Bothlane

Name: Science & Cocktails - The challenges of Artificial Intelligence - with Benoît Frenay and Bothlane
Start: 2025-10-02T20:30:00+02:00
Location: Chaussée Saint-Pierre 210, 1040 Brussels, Belgium

Schedule

Thu, 02 Oct, 2025 at 08:30 pm

UTC+02:00

Location

Chaussée Saint-Pierre 210, 1040 Brussels, Belgium | Etterbeek, BU

The challenges of Artificial Intelligence
The words "artificial intelligence" are now on everyone's lips. But what exactly is it? Is AI limited to ChatGPT? Did it only appear a few years ago? Is it really as neutral, safe, and well-intentioned as some claim? And what about "Terminator", is that our future?
This talk re-establishes the basics of AI, highlights its limitations, and outlines ways to use it responsibly. We will also dive into the labs to see what is being developed to tackle the challenges AI presents today - and those it will present tomorrow.
The speaker: Benoît Frénay
Benoît Frenay is an associate professor of computer science at the University of Namur. His research focuses on robust and interpretable machine learning, particularly in the presence of uncertainty and label noise. He aims to make AI systems more transparent, reliable, and aligned with human users.
He holds a PhD in Machine Learning from UCLouvain and was awarded the IBM Belgium Scientific Prize for Informatics in 2014. Frenay has conducted research in several European institutions and is actively involved in both teaching and interdisciplinary AI applications, including in healthcare and industry. Outside academia, he is also a science fiction writer and blogger, reflecting on the societal impacts of AI.

Bothlane (be)
"Project 'Bass_Techno_Drums'" by Belgian musician Alain Deval. After studying music in Antwerp, Alain Deval became active on the international scene, participating in numerous projects. After several years as a sideman, he decided to launch his solo project: Bothlane. Influenced by the vibrant underground scenes of London and Berlin, he continues to innovate by establishing a strong connection between the acoustic world of drumming and the electronic universe of modular synthesizers. His work embodies the very essence of club music: a relentless beat and a passion for sound that resonates through every performance, captivating diverse audiences. Each live show is characterized by raw energy and abundant creativity, exploring mesmerizing rhythms and deep bass music sounds. "Stellar Hijinks," Bothlane's debut album, will be released on November 29, 2024. It marks a key milestone in the artist's evolution. The nine tracks offer a powerful fusion of techno, modular synthesizers, and drum rhythms, creating an immersive and intense club experience. Each track delves into the depths of sound and unleashes raw energy, crafted for the dancefloor.