Closing the AI skills gap with ‘Artificial Intelligence in Business and Industry’

Contributing to technological innovation in Belgium

The ‘Artificial Intelligence in Business and Industry’ programme plays an important role in bolstering Belgium’s technological innovation ecosystem. “We aim to strengthen our economy here in Belgium and more broadly across Europe,” Laurent Sorber, CTO and co-founder of Superlinear, explains. By training professionals who can bridge the gap between theory and practice, the programme contributes to a stronger and more innovative economic landscape. “With the right skills and knowledge, Belgian companies can leverage AI as a tool for growth and impact.”

Realizing AI: from concept to application

Laurent Sorber teaches a key course in the advanced master, ‘Realization of AI’, which focuses on applying AI beyond theory. “As the name suggests, the course focuses on teaching everything that goes into developing and deploying an AI solution from start to finish,” Sorber explains. “Starting with the problem definition and progressing to a working solution that is accessible via the cloud.”

Students gain hands-on experience by developing their own AI solution, for example, a webshop for ‘minifigures’ with AI-driven product features. The project exposes students to all aspects of AI solution development—from problem definition to deployment. “By the end, students will have learned everything they need to develop a fully functional AI solution,” Sorber emphasises.

Using an Agile development methodology, participants work in short cycles to deliver tangible results. “Every two weeks, students work towards a new set of sprint goals. This breaks down the complexity of developing an AI solution into manageable steps,” he adds.

The role of businesses and industry

Beyond focusing on participants, collaboration with businesses is a key aspect of the postgraduate programme. “For companies looking to integrate AI into their strategy, this course offers a unique opportunity to equip their employees with the necessary knowledge and skills,” Sorber states. Businesses not only benefit from well-trained employees but also from close ties with academia and the latest AI developments.

Sorber highlights that AI will play a crucial role in the future of industry: “In the coming years, large language models and other AI innovations will enable businesses to work more efficiently, increase productivity, and enter new markets. In that context we see a strong need for tailored solutions, which is precisely where this programme fits in.”