AI | Machine Learning | Technologie | Diversiteit
Vivianne Bendermacher is known from radio and TV as a technology journalist. She is a highly sought-after speaker, podcast creator, presenter, and moderator on digital technology.
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You may recognize Vivianne Bendermacher from her appearances as a tech journalist on popular TV programs such as RTL Boulevard, Jinek, and RTL Late Night, or as the voice behind various podcasts, including the award-winning podcast ‘Takedown,’ created for the Dutch Police’s Team High Tech Crime.
Vivianne’s career in technology began in journalism, where she made her mark as editor-in-chief for leading publications such as KIJK and VIVA. Over the past decade, as the former Managing Director and co-founder of Techionista, she has dedicated herself to promoting (gender) diversity in the tech industry by retraining women to become data and AI professionals.
Her passion for sharing technology stories has made her a sought-after speaker and moderator. Her mission is to make the complex world of technology more accessible and understandable for a broad audience. Vivianne is available for roles as a speaker, moderator, and online talk show host, and is always looking for new challenges where she can leverage her extensive experience in media and technology.
With her excellent speaking skills, engaging interaction, and experience in audience engagement, Vivianne knows how to tailor her message to various audiences. Her enthusiasm is contagious, and her goal is to ensure that her audience leaves with renewed energy and fresh insights.
AI is evolving at breakneck speed. What seemed like science fiction just yesterday is already possible today: videos, voices, avatars, text, images, and entire conversations generated entirely by AI. And the next step has already begun: AI agents that not only provide answers but also perform tasks independently, prepare decisions, and act on our behalf. But is that a dream, or rather the beginning of a nightmare?
In this energetic and thought-provoking talk, Vivianne takes the audience on a journey of discovery through the world of artificial intelligence. Together with her AI avatars as digital alter egos, she explores the enormous opportunities and the uncomfortable risks of AI: from AI teachers in education, AI agents, and new forms of creativity to deepfakes, voice cloning, bias, hallucinations, and chatbots that increasingly tell us what we want to hear. The talk demonstrates that AI is not simply good or bad.
The same technology that can exacerbate fraud, deception, and dependency can also help people learn better, enable new ideas, and actually reduce existing inequality. So the question is not just what AI is capable of, but above all how much autonomy we want to grant to smart systems—and how critically we continue to think for ourselves.
Ultimately, this talk is about human judgment in an era of increasingly autonomous machines. Because the future of AI is determined not only by technology, but by the choices we make as individuals, organizations, and a society.
Duration: Approximately 50 to 60 minutes
The Influence of AI on Our Daily Lives: In a world where Artificial Intelligence (AI) increasingly impacts our daily lives, a pressing question arises: how unbiased are these systems? During the captivating talk ‘Unmasking: The Invisible Biases in AI,’ Vivianne takes you on an in-depth exploration of this critical issue.
What to Expect
Vivianne’s Insights
Vivianne dissects the complex world of algorithms and data. She explains how biases find their way into AI systems and the consequences this has for society. With engaging examples and clear explanations, she demonstrates how subtle biases can have a significant impact.
The Unique Role of VivAInne
But Vivianne does not come alone. She is accompanied by her unique AI avatar, VivAInne. VivAInne acts as the conscience of AI and offers a unique insight into the inner workings of AI systems. This artificial alter ego of Vivianne explains how she, as an AI, can become biased. She takes us under the hood to show which processes can introduce biases and what can be done to mitigate these prejudices.
Practical Examples and Solutions
The talk not only provides a critical look at the problems but also presents practical solutions and strategies to combat bias in AI. From technical adjustments to ethical considerations, Vivianne and VivAInne demonstrate how we can work together to create fairer and more transparent AI systems.
For Whom?
This talk is a must for anyone interested in understanding the influence of AI on our lives. Whether you are a professional, student, policymaker, or simply a curious mind, ‘Unmasking: The Invisible Biases in AI’ offers valuable knowledge and inspiration.
Duration: Approximately 50 minutes
Where Are the Women in ICT and Tech?
In the Netherlands, significantly fewer women choose a career in ICT and tech compared to other parts of the world. But why is this? And is it really a problem? Many people think that women simply choose not to work in these sectors, but the reality is more complex.
Vivianne Bendermacher – Advocate for Diversity in Tech
Vivianne Bendermacher, former Managing Director and co-founder of Techionista, an organization that successfully promoted diversity in the tech industry for years, offers insight into this issue. With extensive experience in the technology and education sectors, Vivianne is a passionate advocate for more diversity, equality, and inclusion in tech. Techionista helped women develop into data and AI specialists and provided practical solutions and training to prepare women for the tech world.
Why is Diversity Important?
Vivianne explains why diversity in the tech sector is crucial for innovation and progress. She discusses how a lack of diverse perspectives can lead to one-sided products and services, and how inclusivity contributes to more creative and effective solutions.
The Causes of Lack of Diversity
The talk addresses the various causes of the lack of diversity, including historical and cultural factors, stereotypes, and unconscious biases. Vivianne provides insight into the barriers women face when entering the tech industry, from education and upbringing to corporate culture and recruitment.
The Dangers of Homogeneity
What are the potential dangers of a sector dominated by a homogeneous group? Vivianne discusses the risks, such as biases in AI and machine learning, and how these can lead to unfair and unreliable technologies. She shows how unconscious biases can be embedded in systems that affect millions of people.
For Whom?
This talk is essential for anyone involved in the tech industry, including business leaders, HR professionals, technology experts, policymakers, and educational institutions. It offers valuable insights and practical tips for anyone who wants to contribute to a more diverse and inclusive future in tech.
In Summary
In this in-depth and inspiring talk, Vivianne Bendermacher takes you through the world of diversity in the tech sector. She explains where the lack of diversity comes from, what the potential dangers are, and, more importantly, how we can work together to create a more inclusive and just tech world.
Duration: Approximately 40 minutes
You hear it more and more often: isn’t AI just a bubble? The massive investments, sky-high expectations, and explosive growth remind some people of the dot-com hype just before the internet crash at the start of this century.
Back then, too, a new technology seemed poised to radically change the world. And back then, too… enthusiasm sometimes outpaced reality.
But Vivianne doesn’t approach that question as an economist. As a journalist, she focuses primarily on the social reality behind the technology: how AI is slowly embedding itself in the foundations of education, media, products, and human behavior; and what that does to our trust, our judgment, and our dependence on technology.
In this energetic and thought-provoking talk, she explores, alongside two AI avatars as sparring partners, the promises and pitfalls of artificial intelligence. Why does AI feel both revolutionary and fragile? From products that quietly become smarter to bias, hallucinations, and AI systems that increasingly pander to us.
The talk shows that AI might indeed be a bubble if we treat it as a flawless, all-knowing solution to everything. But as soon as we see AI for what it really is: a powerful, imperfect tool shaped by humans – a much more interesting and realistic story emerges.
For digital organizations, this story is particularly relevant. Because as AI becomes increasingly embedded in products, services, and infrastructure, the question is not only what AI can do: but also how much trust we dare to place in it.
Duration: 30 to 40 minutes
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