The Flanders-China Chamber of Commerce is organizing an Expert Keynote: “China AI in focus: What European businesses need to know now”on 19 October at 16:30 atCercle Royal La Concorde, Kouter 150 in Ghent.
China’s AI landscape is evolving at remarkable speed, from computer vision and large language models to robotics operating in the real world. Chinese companies are increasingly moving beyond experimentation and integrating AI into products, processes and business models across a wide range of industries.
During this keynote, Mr Etienne Charlier will explore how Chinese companies are operationalising AI, and look beyond the familiar US platforms to the growing range of open models and tools that European teams can test, adapt and improve. He will also address the main risks and trade-offs related to data, models, security, compliance and critical technological dependencies, and discuss why the current competitive window is open and why and how European companies should move now.
Keynote speaker:
Mr Etienne Charlier is an AI and Business Strategy Expert with nearly three decades of experience in China’s technology sector. He has held senior management positions in China, including China General Manager and Vice President at a major telecom equipment manufacturer, and later founded a consulting firm in Shanghai. He holds an MBA from MIT Sloan School of Management and degrees in Engineering and Philosophy from UCL. Today, he helps companies understand and apply AI in practical business settings and has worked with organisations including Barco, MEGVII, L’Oréal and Institut Pasteur.
Programme
16h30-17h00 Registration and networking
17h00-17h05 Welcome by Ms Gwenn Sonck, Executive Director, Flanders-China Chamber of Commerce
17h05-17h50 Presentation: “China AI in focus: What European businesses need to know now” by Mr Etienne Charlier
17h50-18h15 Q&A session
18h15-19h00 Networking drink
If you wish to attend, please confirm your participation via the registration button below by 11 October.
Practical information:
Date: October 19, 2026
Time: 16h30 - 19h00
Location: Cercle Royal La Concorde, Kouter 150, 9000 Ghent, Parking: Kouter
Price for members: €75 + 21% VAT
