On Tuesday 22 September, the eve of World Liberal Professions Day, the UNPLIB colloquium on the future of the liberal professions in the face of Artificial Intelligence brought together many participants at Curalia’s premises in Brussels.
The greatest technological revolution in human history has raised many pressing questions since the advent of machine learning.
Humanity is in control for now, but things could still go wrong.
Excellent speakers examined improvements in healthcare, digital sovereignty, insurance risks arising from AI and the loss of meaning in the liberal professions since the advent of AI.
In conclusion, let us protect our human relationships: the main challenge is never to follow blindly decisions made by algorithms that lack nuance, compassion and empathy.
We had a very positive meeting on Monday 14 September with Mathieu Raedts, Chief of Staff and Secretary to Boris Dilliès’s Government.
We drew attention to the practical realities facing liberal professionals working in the Brussels Region.
With this in mind, the Brussels Government intends to maintain regular and constructive dialogue.
October will highlight several of our member organisations through their respective colloquiums or the opening of new premises.
At each meeting, we will be keen to consult one another and move our shared priorities forward in the same direction.
This will certainly be discussed on Tuesday 27 October, when our health committee will once again meet Evelyne Hens, Minister Vandenbroucke’s Chief of Staff.
UNPLIB will also be represented at the invitation of PPLW and AVIQ at their colloquiums and events scheduled for next month.
Our exchanges at European and global levels continue. The CEPLIS General Assembly will take place on 12 November in Brussels, and that of the World Union in December, in principle in Athens.
A delegation attended the colloquium on Artificial Intelligence and preparedness for future crisis management on 29 September at the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), as part of the European Day of the Liberal Professions.
2026 also marks UNPLIB’s 65th anniversary.
This was recalled at our colloquium on 22 September.
Founded in 1961 and a Royal Society since 2011, our organisation is supported by a wonderful team sharing as many responsibilities as possible, most often on a voluntary basis.
The experience of longstanding members remains well represented, but younger members have joined us, ensuring the next generation is ready to take over.
May this anniversary be followed by many more.
Bernard Jacquemin
President of UNPLIB
