During this session, Bram Bet (Lead Data Scientist) and Sofie Berns (Head of DATA) will share their vision and approach. Sofie will briefly outline the strategic framework and show how processes and collaboration need to be fundamentally reorganized to enable innovation. Bram translates this into practice and uses concrete examples to show what is being technically built, what challenges this entails, and, above all, what it actually delivers on the work floor, on board, or in the field. He will also address the question of how to determine whether something really works and what lessons can be learned from this.
Leaders in Data, Analytics AI
CPD points | 2 points
17:30 | Start of program (including presentation, discussion and 3-course dinner)
20:30 | End of formal program, opportunity for informal networking
Language: Dutch
Location: Restaurant de HFSLG, Bosch en Duin
Head of Data
As Head of the DATA (Data & AI Technology Accelerator) department, Sofie leads a fast-growing team of 80 data scientists, data engineers, and DevOps engineers. The department focuses on the short-cycle development of state-of-the-art AI algorithms and the Defense-wide data science platform. Sofie strives to enable Defense to innovate rapidly and thus stay technologically ahead; after all, coming in second is not an option! Examples of developed DATA applications include DefGPT, Digital Interpreter, and Agentic AI for command and control.
Lead Data Scientist
As Lead Data Scientist, Bram leads a team of 13 Data Scientists who develop and operationalize innovative data science and AI applications in multidisciplinary teams. He previously worked at Valcon, where he helped companies convert data into concrete value. With his academic background and experience in both the public and private sectors, Bram knows how to link technological innovation to practical impact.
Under pressure from a changing geopolitical situation, the Ministry of Defense is transforming into a high-tech, information-driven organization, in which Data Science and AI play a key role. After all, our opponents are also fully committed to AI, and coming in second is not an option on the battlefield. That is why the Ministry of Defense is investigating the possibilities of these technologies and how innovations can be applied organization-wide. But how do you give this concrete form within a large, traditionally organized organization? And how do you build applications that really work and make an operational impact?
During this session, Bram Bet (Lead Data Scientist) and Sofie Berns (Head of DATA) will share their vision and approach. Sofie will briefly outline the strategic framework and show how processes and collaboration need to be fundamentally reorganized to enable innovation. Bram translates this into practice and uses concrete examples to show what is being technically built, what challenges this entails, and, above all, what it actually delivers on the work floor, on board, or in the field. He will also address the question of how to determine whether something really works and what lessons can be learned from this.
Are you curious about a concrete and practical approach to Data Science and AI? And would you like to exchange experiences with fellow professionals about how to make a real impact with these technologies? Then you are most welcome. Preferably come together with a colleague (for example, a department head, specialist or project leader) to give the discussion about policy and implementation extra depth. We hope to meet you and your colleague on October 9!
