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 2024 - Hero

Take your agenda.
The Chief Digital Officer Awards will take place on __17 October 2024__. 

__This was CDO of the Year 2023__

Johan Guelluy (Acerta) and Régis Pitolet (i-City) have been elected the Chief Digital Officers of the Year. This happened during a gala with 540 guests at the Brussels Docks event hall.

Want to relive the CDO awards gala? 
Here you can find the [pictures](https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1_WLgs6kyN27T91iAEBWhv4Vjt7qC8Ut6?usp=sharing "Pictures CDO of the Year 2023"). 
Here you can find the [aftermovie](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1g9wPKjK9m1gnMLIl1wr4SaYxOS2tDfQQ/view?usp=sharing "Aftermovie CDO of the Year 2023"). 

Did you miss the keynotes? Click here to watch ['The diamond in the rough'](https://vimeo.com/879478781 "Keynote recording Steven Van Belleghem") by Steven Van Belleghem or ['The perfect storm'](https://vimeo.com/880676751 "Keynote recording Erwin Verstraelen") by Erwin Verstraelen.

[Johan Guelluy](https://www.linkedin.com/in/johan-guelluy-1091384/ "Johan Guelluy - LinkedIn ") is the CIO of Acerta, one of Belgium's largest social security companies. He carried out a complete digital transformation including the total redesign and construction of a new online payroll engine. This is one of the most complex projects because of regulations, integrations and constant changes. In record time, he launched new services in close cooperation with the business. These include 'Connect HR Office', a user-friendly platform for SMEs' hr services, iCounter.be for the self-employed and 'Ikwilstarten.be'. With Alix, the first digital assistant was launched and the portal Myacerta was introduced. Of particular note is that the platform will be shared with competitors.

[Régis Pitolet](https://www.linkedin.com/in/r%C3%A9gis-pitolet-digital-transformation/ "Régis Pitolet - LinkedIn ") is the Chief Transformation Officer of i-City, the organisation that provides it services to the city of Brussels. He succeeded in piloting a lead paper administration to a fully digital environment based on 'citizen centric services'. That was not at all evendent in a politically rigid environment. Half of the Brussels population has since been using the MyBlx platform. Digitisation allowed 33 civil servants to be redeployed. 144,000 tonnes of paper were saved. The solution has also been nominated for the Smart Cities Awards later this year in Barcelona.

CDO of the Year 2024 - Info

CDO of the Year 2024

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CDO of the Year 2024 - Organisations

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 2023 - Apply

How to apply

Please submit your application before Friday 8 September. You will give a presentation during the jury meeting on Thursday 28 September from 5 PM onwards. The award ceremony will take place on Thursday 26 October.

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

**Candidacy application deadline extended to September 8th, 2023**

Look who has won the previous CDO awards. 

[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 350 euro each or reserve a table for 10 people at 3.000 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 2024 - 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.

Isabel Donvil

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

Hugues De Pra

Nicolas Demeure

Cécile Gonfroid

Bjorn Van Reet

Tom Olislagers

Sofien Ben Sassi

Jurgen Strijkers

Paul Kaisin

Erwin Verstraelen

Benjamin Bostoen

Jury 2023

#### 18:00 Cocktail Reception
#### 19:15 Welcome
#### 19:30 Starter
#### 20:30 Keynote
<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/bjornvanreet/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Erwin Verstraelen (Port of Antwerp-Bruges) </a>
#### 20:45 Main course 
#### 21:45 Keynote
<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenvanbelleghem/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Steven Van Belleghem: "The diamond in the rough"</a>
#### 22:20 Awards Ceremony
Chief Digital Officer of the Year 2023
#### 23:00 Dessert and afterparty
#### 01:00 Closing

CDO of the Year 2024 - Program

Program

CHIEF DIGITAL OFFICER