Technology alone does not define the future of work. The choices you make do.

AI is no longer just a trend. It is fundamentally reshaping how we hire, evaluate, and collaborate. But as the technological revolution accelerates, a critical shift is happening: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) is moving from a moral mission to a strategic business necessity.

With the enforcement of the EU AI Act, the responsibility for fair and non-discriminatory algorithms now rests squarely on the shoulders of providers and users. Discrimination is no longer just an ethical flaw; it is a significant business risk and a legal liability.

It influences how organisations recruit, evaluate talent, make decisions and collaborate. But while the technological revolution moves fast, an essential question often remains in the background: "What will happen to inclusion in an AI-driven workplace?"

Why You Need to Be There

At the Diversity Conference 2026, we bridge the gap between AI innovation and human-centric leadership. This is your opportunity to claim your seat at the strategic table as the essential coach guiding your organization through this transformation.

Our keynote speaker, Öztürk Taspinar, will reveal how the EU AI Act elevates the DE&I manager to a crucial strategic role, managing liability and ensuring ethical compliance both internally and externally. Join an interactive panel moderated by Louis de Diesbach, exploring the real-world impact of AI on our daily workspace and how to keep inclusion at the heart of innovation. Guided by Dilnoza Shaumarova (The Disruptives), we will move beyond theory to create a day of deep impact, reflection, and actionable insights.

The Diversity Conference 2026 brings together business leaders, researchers, policy makers and diversity experts from across Europe to explore this critical transformation.

Throughout the day, participants will examine how artificial intelligence is redefining organisations and the future of work. More importantly, the conference will explore how these changes can be guided to ensure that innovation strengthens inclusion rather than deepening existing inequalities.

Because technology alone does not shape the workplace. The choices organisations make, do.

Programme

We start at 9:00 with an opening by Emmanuelle followed by a EU Commission speech by Carles Dedeu Fontcuberta. Around 9:45 we open the workshop of the day where we co-design the Future of Work based on the learnings, insights and inspiration we encounter throughout the day. Dilnoza Shaumarova from The Disruptives will be our guide on this path.

At 10:00 we'll lets us guide by Öztürk Taspinar to really understand the impact of AI in general and the EU AI act in particular on our roles as DE&I epxerts and infuencers in our organisations. And you can be sure: it's vastly more impactful than what we think. The keynote is followed by a panel under the expert leadership of Louis de Diesbach a Technological Ethicist who will moderate the discussion between Rein Meirte (Clusity), Jens Meijen (Umaniq) and Nicky Dries (KULeuven).

After lunch we'll deep dive into co-designing solutions for our own world and practice. We've called it: "Feel It. Build It.AI, Work & Human Leadership" and together with Dilnoza Shaumarova we'll take you on a explorative journey building connection and understanding among our participants.

We end the day around 16:00 with a group picture and drinks.

Exclusive rate for our community!
As a signatory, member or ambassador of Diversity Charter Belgium, you are entitled to a special discounted rate for the Diversity Conference. Request your voucher to access your preferential ticket price.