Programme
The KU Leuven, the oldest university in Belgium, celebrates its 600th birthday in 2025: six centuries of groundbreaking research, inspiring teaching and active engagement in the world . We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended our event and contributed to making this celebration truly special.
Session 1: Welcome and Panel on “AI Tensions: Legal, Ethical, and Environmental Frontiers”
When? Tuesday, October 1st, 2024 at 9:45 AM to 12:00 Noon EDT (3:45 PM – 6:00 PM CET).
Where? NYU School of Law, Vanderbilt Hall, 40 Washington Square South, Greenberg Lounge. Participants can join either in-person or virtually.
What? The first session revolved around “AI Tensions: Legal, Ethical, and Environmental Frontiers.” It consisted of talks, a moderated panel, and several Q&A interactions with the hybrid audience. It featured esteemed experts, including Frank Pasquale (human expertise in AI), Benedetta Brevini (AI's impact on climate), and Nathalie Smuha (regulatory perspectives from the EU and USA). The session aimed to provide diverse perspectives on how AI is reshaping various facets of society. This first session was co-organized by the KU Leuven Digital Society Institute.
9:45 AM EDT (3:45 PM CET): Welcome by Bieke Zaman.
Bieke Zaman is Professor in Communication Sciences / Human-Computer Interaction at the KU Leuven and Director of the KU Leuven Digital Society Institute.
Bieke Zaman warmly welcomed all physical and virtual attendees to the hybrid event “AI(M) for the Future,” setting the stage for an engaging and insightful session.
10am EDT (4pm CET): Talk and Q&A by Benedetta Brevini - “AI and Climate: Ethics and a Green Agenda.”
Benedetta Brevini is Visiting Scholar at New York University Institute for Public Knowledge, and Associate Professor of political economy of communication at the University of Sydney.
Benedetta Brevini talked about the relationship between AI and the climate crisis, challenging each of us to consider whether AI is a solution to the major challenges of our time. She informed us about the environmental risks of an uncritical adoption of AI, while inspiring us to embrace a greener, more sustainable route and enhance our green literacy.
10:30 AM EDT (4:30 PM CET): Talk and Q&A by Frank Pasquale – “Defending Human Expertise in the age of Generative AI”
Frank Pasquale is Professor of Law at Cornell Tech and Cornell Law School.
Frank Pasquale’s talk critically examined how generative AI is likely to reshape everyday ‘reality’ and challenge key human capabilities. By discussing the importance of preserving the value of the real, he proposed new regulations for AI simulations, fostering a future of transparent generative AI that enhances rather than replaces people.
11am EDT (5pm CET): Talk and Q&A by Nathalie Smuha – “AI Governance in Europe, the U.S., and Beyond: Balancing Protection and Innovation.”
Nathalie Smuha is Assistant Professor at KU Leuven, and Adjunct Professor at NYU School of Law.
Nathalie Smuha explored the governance of AI in Europe, the U.S., and beyond, illustrating the global impact of regulatory measures. She shared key lessons learned, highlighting both positive and negative aspects, and discussed the regulatory challenges that must be overcome when drafting AI policies in a way that balances protection and innovation.
11:30 AM EDT (5:30 PM EDT): Hybrid panel discussion.
• The panel featured Frank Pasquale, Benedetta Brevini, and Nathalie Smuha in interaction with the online and physical attendees. The panel was moderated by Bieke Zaman.
Session 2: Networking Lunch
When? Tuesday, October 1st, 2024 at 12:00 Noon EDT to 1.00 PM EDT
Where? NYU School of Law, Vanderbilt Hall, Greenberg Lounge. On-site attendance only.
What? A buffet-style Italian lunch was provided for attendees to network, discuss the session, and engage in informal conversations.
Session 3: Debate on “Just cities: what role for social infrastructure?”
When? Tuesday, October 1st, 2024 at 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM EDT (7:30 PM – 9:30 PM CET).
Where? The NYU Institute for Public Knowledge (IPK), New York University, 20 Cooper Square). Participants can join either in-person or virtually.
What? A hybrid debate on just cities and the role of social infrastructure took place. This session was co-organized by the KU Leuven Urban Studies Institute.
Who? In this debate, Eric Klinenberg (Director of the Institute for Public Knowledge, New York University), Luce Beeckmans (Research Professor of Architecture and Urbanism, KU Leuven), and Jeroen Stevens (Professor in Urbanism & Housing, KU Leuven) discussed the role of social infrastructure in making cities more just and in building bridges between diverse urban communities. Gert-Jan Put (Research Manager at the KU Leuven Urban Studies Institute) moderated the debate.
Abstract:
Over the last decades, a clear infrastructural turn has occurred across humanities and social sciences which provides a novel framework to study culture and societies. Specifically within urban studies, many scholars state that social infrastructure, i.e. networks of spaces, institutions, groups and facilities, contribute to civic urban life. Often cited examples of social infrastructure include libraries, schools, playgrounds, community centers or even sidewalks. In his seminal book Palaces for the People (2018), Eric Klinenberg defines social infrastructure as “the physical places and organizations that shape the way people interact”. Klinenberg argues that a whole range of institutional and physical infrastructure is necessary to develop and maintain social connections and ‘togetherness’ in cities, and this across differences.
However, social infrastructure can also perpetuate socio-economic disparities in urban contexts, is sometimes disproportionally concentrated in particular neighborhoods, designed with a narrow urban demographic in mind, or even excessively restrictive. What role can social infrastructure take up in the development of more just cities? How can underprivileged communities be involved in the design and decision-making regarding social infrastructures that have the potential to stage meaningful encounters among a diversity of people? And whether and how can social infrastructures also disguise, if not even compound structural injustices that are hardwired into urban forms? The debate will, among other matters, zoom in on these questions.
Session 4: Two Parallel Guided City Walks
When? Tuesday, October 1st, 2024 at 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM EDT.
What? Participants could register for one of two parallel guided city walks, both of which further explored the theme of social infrastructure. Spots were limited, so early registration was encouraged to secure a place. These walks were available for on-site attendance only.
Exploring Under the Highline (2 hours).
The "Exploring Under the HighLine" tour was led by two Flemish guides who have lived and worked in New York for years, Jacqueline Goossens and Elke Vanhaecke.
Outside The Home (90 minutes).
The "Outside The Home” walking tour was conducted by social educators from the Tenement Museum, focusing on the people and stories behind public spaces and landmarks on the Lower East Side.
Where? On-site attendance only. These tours will start at the The NYU Institute for Public Knowledge (IPK).
Session 5: Panel Discussion and Reception, including meet and greet with Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Peter Lievens
When? Tuesday, October 1st, 2024 at 6:00 PM EDT.
Where? Flanders House, New York Times Building, floor 38. On-site attendance only.
Flanders House New York
The New York Times Building
620 8th Avenue, 38th Floor
New York
What? The KU Leuven Alumni Chapter USA and the KU Leuven delegation, led by Prof. Dr. Peter Lievens, Vice Rector of International Policy and Interculturality and Alumni Policy, had the pleasure of inviting attendees to a panel discussion on 'The Role of Universities for Truth & Science in Society: the Perspective of KU Leuven,' kindly co-hosted by Flanders House. The panel discussion was followed by a networking reception with finger food.
