For the first time Golden-I started with 3 masterclasses, the first hosted by Fujitsu Luxembourg which asked the question “Has digital transformation delivered on its promise”. The lively panel discussion featuring Frank Niatel, Head of Hyper Automation from Fujitsu and two of his guests, Sebastien Wiertz, AVP at industrial group Paul Wurth and Yannick Huchard, CTO of Le Foyer Group. The conclusion was that much attention up to this point had been on operational efficiency rather than being more aspirational and client focused.

The second, hosted by Proximus NXT, featured their Head of Product, Audric Lhoas, presenting a deep dive into data governance. He encouraged the audience to consider themselves as the CIO of the Golden-I bank, with the mission of building their own sovereign AI tool. Would the data processing be internal or external he asked? Would you consider that data critical or not? What would you permit, or not permit your users to do with the tool? It became clear during the exercise that it is extremely challenging to know exactly where your data is and that there is a trade off between functionality and risk. External LLMs can do a great job, but there is a high risk of data seepage.

The third and final masterclass hosted by Pierre Gillet, head of digital learning at the CNFPC, examined the balance between AI and humans and specifically the pros and cons of AI from an HR and a training perspective. The excellent panel that followed included Camille Georges, Head of Training at the CFL and Emeline Barbenchon, Director, PwC Luxembourg. AI is effective in identifying skills gaps and recommending solutions, but if staff use AI to complete tests and tasks, then results are hard to verify. Meanwhile, if organisations replace staff with AI will the loss of intelligence and culture be greater than the productivity gains?

Following the Masterclasses, Cedric Villani, gave an inspiring and challenging exposition of “What do we want AI to do?” He, eloquently spoke on why we should not blindly accept the homogenisation of creativity, nor why it is acceptable or possible to build enough power stations to power future data centres. He commented that the questions we are asking about AI now are not the same as were asking in 2018. The wave of AI should not be considered as unstoppable, but each step should be considered.

Cédric Villani

As we approached 18.15, it was the turn of Jean Diderich the Chair of APSI, to award the start-up of the year, which went to ExoBiosphere and was collected by Olivia Borgue and the Flagship award which was presented to GCore represented by Clara Ulken.

Jean Diederich (Finegan) et Olivia Gorgue (Exobiosphere)

Jean Diederich (Finegan) et Clara Ulken (Gcore)

Following this we welcomed Patrice Witz, Technology and Digital Partner of PwC Luxembourg to the stage, He stated that “Luxembourg is at an inflection point”, this was a reference to the flattening of GDP growth and the necessity to embrace technological innovation to drive the economy forward into new growth.

Thierry Kremser, Partner at PwC Luxembourg, joined the stage to present a Lifetime achievement award and the crowd clearly appreciated and congratulated Tom Goerens CIO from Spuerkeess on winning this accolade.

Cédric Villani, Patrice Witz, Tom Goerens and Thierry Kremser

Patrice, then welcomed to the stage, CIO of the year 2025 André Meyer, Group CIO of Encevo and Luxembourg artist Sumo to present the 2026 award. The three nominees this year were Tom Goerens CIO of the Spuerkeess, Pascal Fernandez, CIO of BGL BNP Paribas and Clément Milville CIO of Coinbase (Europe), with Pascal being the winner this year.

Sumo, Pascal Fernandez, André Meyer

The event concluded with all 700 guests in the Atrium with a mix of networking and celebration into the early hours of the night as accompanied by the French band Cosmic Clic.