Conference year: Speakers 2025

Nabil Belbachir has almost three decades of experience with computer vision, AI and robotics, as engineer, scientist, visionary leader and strategist, contributing with sustainable innovative concepts, products and solutions. 

Nabil Belbachir is a research director at NORCE, director at eu-robotics Aisbl and strategy advisor for ADRA Aisbl and the European Commission, for coordinating European Strategic Research, Innovation and Deployment Agenda 2030 and contributing to HEU work programme 2025-2027 in AI, Data and Robotics.

He has a PhD (2005) in computer science from TU Vienna (Austria). He edited the single-source Springer book “Smart Cameras (2009)”, translated into Chinese by China Machine Press (2014). He has over 120 scientific publications, 3 patents and he is recently coordinating COGNIMAN, the Horizon Europe Innovation project on AI-powered robotics for Smart Manufacturing.

Michael Eickhoff studied history, German language and literature, and sociology in Bielefeld and Paris. Since 2000 he has been working as production manager, dramaturg, curator and lecturer for various theaters (Theater Bonn, Wiesbaden and Bielefeld) and universities.

From 2010 to 2020 he was part of the artistic management team at the Schauspiel Dortmund under the artistic direction of Kay Voges. Here he has accompanied a large number of productions, curated discourse series, festivals and international guest performances, and co-created the concept and the funding of the Academy for Theater and Digitality.

He is particularly interested in theater in discourse with various social actors – in exchange with political-artistic activism, journalism and a variety of related disciplines of art.

Since summer 2020 he has been part of the Academy for Theater and Digitality where he is responsible for (international) networking and cooperation between art, science and business.

What do food waste, labour markets and city transport have in common? At least two things. One, they’re all complex, dynamic social systems. Two, steering them in the right direction requires an understanding of how they work. I’ve been fascinated by such phenomena my entire academic career. I develop computational models representing real-world complex social systems and play with what-if scenarios that showcase probable futures. This gives me a valuable insight into how societies function and change.

I’ve been a member of the European Open Science Cluster, secretary (2020-2022) and member of the Management Committee Secretary of European Social Simulation Association, and a proud recipient of the European Social Simulation Association’s Best Student Paper award (2017).

Torill Haugen er leder for innovasjons- og utvikling ved Kunstsilo, et prisbelønt og internasjonalt anerkjent museum på Odderøya i Kristiansand. Haugen leder blant annet museets digitale formidlingsutvikling som nylig er nominert til Best International Digital 2024 av Museum and Heritage i London.

Haugen har hele sin utdannelse fra London, først innen samtidsdans og senere mediekunst. Hun jobbet i et tiår som kurator innen kunst- og teknologifeltet og fortsatte i rollen som digital kurator da hun begynte i Kunstsilo for fem år siden.

Einar Duenger Bøhn is a Norwegian professor of philosophy who is frequently featured on national radio and TV. He grew up in Vormsund and spent time abroad in California at the age of 17, where he became fascinated by philosophy. He studied philosophy at the University of Oslo, where he earned his master’s degree in 2003. In 2009, he completed a Ph.D. in philosophy at the University of Massachusetts (USA). He now works as a professor at the University of Agder.

As a member of the Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research (CAIR) at UiA, he works on developing artificial intelligence that is designed to be moral.

Anders Hasmo is a dramaturge at The Norwegian Theatre (Det Norske Teatret) in Oslo. Through the project AcUTe – Culture Testbeds in Performing Arts, Hasmo has led the development of The Trial Against Humanity, which premiered at The Norwegian Theatre in collaboration with Net Nordic on March 29, 2025. The production placed humanity on trial by an artificial intelligence for crimes against the planet and each other. Hasmo has also previously been involved in a European project exploring the intersection of performing arts and new technology.

He has been a permanent member of the artistic staff at The Norwegian Theatre since 2016, and has previously worked as a dramaturge at The National Stage (Det Nationale Scene) in Bergen and held an engagement for the Ministry of Culture. He holds a Master’s degree in Dramaturgy from Aarhus University, where he wrote his thesis on “Trends in Norwegian Cultural Policy and Consequences for the National Stages.” Hasmo has served as dramaturge on over 50 productions.

Matic Gajšek is the co-founder and business development lead of OnstageAI, focusing on AI-powered disruptive innovations within the music industry. The innovative production assistant tool is offering the automation of video production in the live-performed classical music setting.

Prior to joining OnstageAI, Matic served as Director for Europe at the Europe-Asia Center, a Brussels-based international non-profit organization dedicated to fostering stronger intercontinental relationships between European and Asian communities. His role involved spearheading innovative initiatives aimed at delivering tangible and progressive benefits that contribute significantly to global prosperity. He also held position of expert lecturer at Breda University in the Netherlands and was until 2021 leading Hestia Arts, an artist studio developing and managing projects for acclaimed Norwegian violinist Eldbjørg Hemsing. Matic Gajsek is currently pursuing a Ph.D. at Tilburg University, School of Social and Behavioural Sciences.

With a diverse academic and career background, Matic Gajsek has gained an extensive range of international experiences as an entrepreneur, cultural manager and researcher across Europe, Middle East, Asia and North America. He specializes in crafting strategic projects that intersect culture, innovation, and cultural diplomacy. His portfolio spans collaborations with governmental bodies, civil society organizations, philanthropic organizations and corporate entities.

Mari Kjeldstadli works as a director and dramaturg, and this autumn she is directing Ghosts by Henrik Ibsen, playing at Kilden Performing Arts Centre until October 4.

In recent years, she has directed several critically acclaimed and audience-successful productions at venues including the National Theatre, Rogaland Theatre, Den Nationale Scene, and Teatret Vårt in Molde. She also works as a dramaturg for several award-winning playwrights and has previously served as dramaturg at the National Theatre as well as various theatres in Norway, Sweden, and England.

Michael Fridman is a partner at inFuture, where he is the head of artificial intelligence and data. He has extensive experience with data-driven innovation and works at the intersection of strategy, AI, and creative exploration.

He currently leads, among other things, the research project AIM – an AI-powered multi-format universe – where, together with Dyreparken, Qvisten, and the University of Agder, he explores how artificial intelligence can be used to understand and engage audiences.

Michael has deep expertise in applying AI in new and practical ways and frequently shares his insights as a speaker.

Øystein Flemmen is a producer at Kilden Performing Arts Centre. He holds a master’s degree in project management for music and performing arts, and is responsible for coordinating major artistic projects for Kilden Kultur, Kilden Teater, and the Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra. These projects have provided unique experiences for audiences and generated interest within professional communities.

Flemmen also serves as the subject lead for Kilden’s work with technology and has played an active role in the development of several innovative cultural projects focused on creating meaningful synergies between art and technology. He is passionate about audience development and outreach, and has shared his insights and experiences at various professional forums in the cultural sector.

Masters of Science : Computer Science Rhodes University, PMIITPSA

Veronica started her forensic career in 2008.  She is an Assistant Professor at Noroff University. She is the Non-Executive Director within DFIRLABS. Veronica holds a Master in Science at Rhodes University in Information Security with specialisation in the forensic analysis of malware. She prides herself in keeping patients safe as this is something which is near to her heart. She is also a cyborg sporting an embedded medical device herself. She also is a DEF CON Goon and she is the founder of DC2751.

Her particular research interests include research into security vulnerabilities in medical devices forming part of the Internet of Things, and how these could be exploited by malicious attackers, as well as what types of forensic artefacts could be identified from any attacks. She is extremely passionate about protecting people whose lives depend on these medical devices, and her passion saw her becoming a researcher within an MDM.  At her core Veronica is a forensicator and hacker and in love with every bit, byte and nibble of knowledge she has obtained.

Research Interests : The better securing and manufacturing of Medical Devices. The implementation of medical devices in the Healthcare Ecosystem. The explorations of building better mechanisms in the manufacturing of these devices and the forensic visibility on them. The IOMT (Internet of Medical Things) and IOFT (Internet of Forensic Things). The research into better clarified definitions and standards with better security controls that cater to the unique challenge that medical and healthcare offers.

Steinar Gulaker leads Innovate Future AS, a company specializing in industrial research, development, and consulting. He has extensive experience from both Norway and international projects, particularly in Africa, and works on the development of learning factories, industrial pilot projects, and digital transformation in collaboration with research environments and the business sector.

Endre Sannes Hadland is the resident dramaturge at Kilden Theatre. He holds a Master’s degree in dramaturgy from Aarhus University and has spent many years working on theatre and art projects both in Norway and abroad, collaborating with independent groups and institutions.

Since 2017, he has been affiliated with Kilden, where he has served as dramaturge on numerous productions. He has also taken on directing and adaptation roles, most recently directing Himmeluret by Gabriel Scott in 2024.

He is a former chair of the Norwegian Dramaturges Association and has served for several years as a jury member for the national Ibsen Award.

Rudi Skotheim Jensen is a communications advisor at the Norwegian Actors’ and Dancers’ Alliance. He is passionate about how small trends and movements in society reflect larger transformations. Today, this perspective also shapes his engagement outside of work. Jensen is part of PechaKucha Nights Oslo, one of the capital’s longest-running cultural events, where presentations highlight ideas that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Jensen holds performing arts degrees from ESAC in Brussels and the Norwegian Theatre Academy, as well as a BA in marketing from BI Norwegian Business School. He has over ten years of experience from international cultural productions and serves on a number of arts funding committees.