Benjamin Bostoen - CDO of the year 2022

__Digitalization: A Lever, Not a Replacement__

Digitalization in construction does not mean the replacement of humans, but rather their "elevation." Digital tools and AI are designed to improve efficiency, safety, and accuracy, but they cannot replace human creativity, experience, and judgment. Machines bring an unmatched data processing capability, but it is man who guides and gives meaning to this data.

__AI: A Valuable Complement__

Artificial Intelligence in construction enables the optimization of project management, design, and even the maintenance of infrastructures. It provides predictive analyses to avoid costly mistakes and improve planning. However, these systems learn from humans and their interactions with the environment, underscoring the importance of machines learning from human imperfection.

__Learning from Human Imperfection__

One of the greatest challenges for AI is to understand and integrate human imperfection into its processes. In construction, this means recognizing nuances and variations that escape strict algorithms. Machine learning must be fed not only with perfect data but also with examples of errors and unexpected events, to better collaborate with humans in the field.

__Conclusion__

Digitalization in construction is not about replacing man with machine, but rather about their harmonious collaboration. AI, as a tool, can significantly improve construction processes, but it must be guided and directed by human experience. Ultimately, digitalization in construction is a journey towards a synergy where man and machine learn from each other, for a more efficient, safe, and innovative realization of construction projects.


Digitalization in Construction: A Harmony Between Man and Machine

CDO of the Year - Hero

CDO of the Year 2025 - Hero

And the CDO of the Year 2024 winners are…

__Karin Van Hoecke__, the CDO of KBC and __Marc Senterre__, the VP global IT at Lhoist have been voted the CDO of the Year 2024. They received their award at the Brussels Docks Event hall with over 500 guests in attendance.

Karin Van Hoecke was lauded for her leadership and the impact of the KBC mobile app and especially the AI-agent Kate. And for global recognition as a pioneer.

Marc Senterre was praised for his vision of ‘digital anywhere, including everyone’ in a company you wouldn't expect to push digital this far.

CDO of the Year 2025 - Info

CDO of the Year 2024

Want to relive the CDO awards gala? 
- [Aftermovie CDO of the Year 2024](https://bsnpq.r.ag.d.sendibm3.com/mk/cl/f/sh/SMK1E8tHeFuBmoLDYg6XZ4X2jC3q/JY1N9PAAXk8J "Aftermovie - CDO of the Year 2024")
- [Keynote Peter Hinssen](https://bsnpq.r.ag.d.sendibm3.com/mk/cl/f/sh/SMK1E8tHeG13ExAAjqG1etpmhUe6/WNyYjQRV7cy_ "Keynote Peter Hinssen - CDO of the Year 2024")
- [Keynote Geert Van Mol](https://bsnpq.r.ag.d.sendibm3.com/mk/cl/f/sh/SMK1E8tHeG7uh5z7v0PVkj8WfnEM/YyGPqKiaTMZT "Keynote Geert Van Mol - CDO of the Year 2024")

Below, you can find the pictures. Credits to Thomas Deboever.

CDO of the Year 2025 - Pictures

Have a look at the pictures

Partners

Organised by

CDO of the Year 2025 - Organizations

About us

Are you a candidate for the title of Chief Digital Officer of the Year? Or do you know someone who fits the profile?

Send us your application by submitting a file in which you explain to us why you should win the CDO award.

The file should contain:
- Your motivation
- Your career path
- Your organisation
- Digital projects
- The impact on the organisation and the market 
- Your leadership.

Apply now with a file containing your C.V. (LinkedIn profile), your projects and achievements, a motivation for your application and a high resolution photo.

CDO of the Year 2025 - Apply

How to apply

Please submit your application before __Friday September 27__. You will give a presentation during the jury meeting on __Wednesday October 9__. The award ceremony will take place on __Thursday October 17__.

For more information and to submit your dossier, please contact [luc@destraffemannen.be](mailto:luc@destraffemannen.be), +32495 23 99 25.

Look who has won the previous CDO awards. 

[Johan Guelluy](https://www.linkedin.com/in/johan-guelluy-1091384/ "Johan Guelluy") (Acerta) [Régis Pitolet](https://www.linkedin.com/in/r%C3%A9gis-pitolet-digital-transformation/ "Régis Pitolet") (I-City) 
[Geert Van Mol](https://www.linkedin.com/in/geert-van-mol-1779812/ "Geert Van Mol - LinkedIn ") (Belfius)
[Erik Cuypers](https://www.linkedin.com/in/erik-cuypers-aa6432/ "Erik Cuypers - LinkedIn ") (Maxeda)
[Bjorn Van Reet](https://www.linkedin.com/in/bjornvanreet/ "Bjorn Van Reet - LinkedIn ") (Kinepolis) 
[Erwin Verstraelen](https://www.linkedin.com/in/erwin-verstraelen-a885974/ "Erwin Verstraelen - LinkedIn") (Haven van Antwerpen-Brugge) 
[Benoît Degotte](https://www.linkedin.com/in/beno%C3%AEt-degotte-3833a724/ "Benoît Degotte - LinkedIn ") (Centre Hospitalier Regional de la Citadelle) 
[Pierre-André Rulmont](https://www.linkedin.com/in/pierre-andr%C3%A9-rulmont-672373/ "Pierre-André Rulmont - LinkedIn ") (MIVB) 
[Cécile Gonfroid](https://www.linkedin.com/in/cecilegonfroid/ "Cécile Gonfroid") (RTBF) 
[Benjamin Bostoen](https://www.linkedin.com/in/bostoen/ "Benjamin Bostoen - LinkedIn ") (Thomas & Piron ICT) 

Apply - extra text

Of course you want to attend the CDO Awards Night. We got two formulas. You can reserve 1 or more seats at 400 euro each or reserve a table for 10 people at 3.700 euro (excl. VAT).

This includes parking fee at <a href="https://www.docksdome.be/en/contact/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Docks Dome event hall</a>. Get your tickets now.

For more information about registrations, sponsoring or partnerships, please contact Nicolas Demeure.

[nicolas@destraffemannen.be](mailto:nicolas@destraffemannen.be) - 0478 65 20 34

CDO of the Year 2025 - Attend

Want to attend the awards night?

The jury consists of the winners of the previous editions and many prominent personalities from the Belgian digitisation biotope. We are proud that they all want to participate.

President of the Jury is Luc Blyaert, Partner at De Straffe Mannen.

Maarten Bosmans

Bruno Segers

Danielle Jacobs

Erik Cuypers

Geert Van Mol

Georges Ataya

Jan De Schepper

Jurgen Van De Sompel

Koen De Witte

Lode Peeters

Luc Blyaert

Katja Schipperheijn

Pierre-André Rulmont

Suyin Aerts

Wendy Knaepen

Yin Oei

Nicolas Demeure

Cécile Gonfroid

Bjorn Van Reet

Tom Olislagers

Sofien Ben Sassi

Jurgen Strijkers

Paul Kaisin

Erwin Verstraelen

Benjamin Bostoen

Johan Guelluy

Régis Pitolet

Robert van der Eijk

Lieven Verhaevert

Christophe VanDriessche

Jury 2024

#### 18:00 Cocktail Reception
#### 19:15 Welcome
#### 19:30 Starter
#### 20:30 Rebel Rebel
#### 20:45 Main course
#### 21:45 Never Normal
[Peter Hinssen](https://www.linkedin.com/in/phinssen/ "Peter Hinssen")
#### 22:20 Awards Ceremony
Chief Digital Officer of the Year 2024
#### 23:00 Dessert and afterparty
#### 01:00 Closing