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Orchestrating a scalable AI revolution

1:35 pm - 2:00 pm

Artificial intelligence is becoming the defining technology of our era, but its long-term impact depends on one critical challenge: scalability. As AI evolves toward complex, agentic systems operating from cloud to edge, demands on compute, memory, and connectivity are growing at an unprecedented pace. This keynote explores how sustaining the AI revolution requires innovation across the entire technology stack, from advanced CMOS and heterogeneous integration to photonic interconnects and system-level co-optimization. Looking further ahead, emerging paradigms such as quantum and brain-inspired computing may unlock new forms of efficient intelligence. Ultimately, scalable AI will not emerge from a single breakthrough, but from orchestrating a global ecosystem of technologies, disciplines, and innovators.

Featured Speakers

Patrick Vandenameele

Dr. Patrick Vandenameele

CEO, imec

Patrick Vandenameele is Chief Executive Officer at imec  - a globally recognized R&D center specializing in nanoelectronics and digital technologies - since April 1, 2026. His leadership underpins imec’s commitment to addressing market-driven application challenges while advancing its world-class technology platforms through targeted internal investments and external collaborations.

Prior to this appointment as CEO, he served as Executive Vice President and Co-Chief Operating Officer at imec, where he was overseeing and shaping the organization's R&D strategy and its execution. In this position, Patrick was responsible for shaping and driving the center’s innovation agenda, ensuring the alignment of research initiatives with emerging market needs, partner priorities and technological frontiers. Previously, as chief portfolio officer at imec until early 2024, he spearheaded strategic initiatives spanning business development, portfolio management, and venture creation. 

Holding a PhD from KU Leuven, Patrick began his journey with imec in 1996, contributing to the wireless communications program. In 2000, he transitioned to entrepreneurship, founding and leading several deep-tech ventures, three of which were built on imec technology. Patrick also held senior positions at top semiconductor firms like Qorvo and Hisilicon/Huawei, leading 11 product launches and overseeing over 100 million units shipped. After returning to imec in 2017, Patrick has been instrumental in expanding imec’s venture development activities, working closely with the deep-tech venturing fund imec.xpand to strengthen imec’s position as a pioneer in technology-driven solutions.