Keynotes
PRO-VE 2026 Keynotes
6 minutes
Dynamics of Hybrid Collaborative Networks
27th IFIP/SOCOLNET Working Conference on Virtual Enterprises
Padova, Italy
26-28 October, 2026
Dominik Siemon
Professor
LUT University, Finland
Plenary Keynote
The Liminality of AI: Why We Study AI More Like a Social Actor Than a Tool
Abstract
Artificial intelligence is increasingly moving beyond the role of a passive tool toward that of an active collaborator and co-equal partner in joint value creation. This keynote argues that AI occupies a liminal position between technology and social actor, fundamentally changing how we understand collaboration, value creation, responsibility, effort, and human development. Building on research in human-AI collaboration, social loafing, psychological ownership, and human teamwork, the talk explores why many classical theories of human-human interaction are now becoming relevant for studying AI-enabled collaboration. The keynote discusses how hybrid human-AI networks reshape agency, autonomy, and collaborative dynamics, and why understanding AI as “something in between” is critical for the future design and governance of collaborative ecosystems.
Speaker Short Bio.
Dominik Siemon, Dr. rer. pol., is an Associate Professor (tenure track) of Information Systems and Software Development at LUT University, Finland. He serves as Head of the Master’s Programme in Digital Systems and Service Development. His research focuses on human-AI collaboration, intelligent information systems, digital service innovation, and the organizational implications of artificial intelligence. His recent work particularly examines AI teammates, AI companions, generative AI in work contexts, and the design of intelligent systems for complex human environments.
Dimitris Mourtzis
Professor
Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems and Automation, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
Plenary Keynote
Generative AI in the Design, Planning and Operation of Human-Centric Manufacturing Systems
Abstract
The transition towards Industry 5.0 leads to human-centric manufacturing systems. However, design, planning, and operation decisions rely heavily on expert knowledge that stays fragmented across tools, documents and people. Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Large Language Models provide access to knowledge through natural language interaction and can generate design variants, process plans, and operational instructions on demand. This work investigates how Generative AI can support engineers and operators across the three phases, without replacing them. At the design stage, LLM-based assistants turn requirements into candidate concepts and descriptions for Computer-Aided Design. At the planning stage, generative models draft and compare process plans for human review. At the operation stage, a conversational assistant coupled with a Digital Twin provides context-aware guidance for maintenance and assembly, while the operator keeps the final decision. A layered reference framework is proposed, in which Generative AI acts as a collaborator with human-in-the-loop. Open challenges include the reliability and explainability of generated outputs, the integration of Generative AI with existing manufacturing systems, and the trust and skills required by operators to work effectively alongside such systems.
Speaker Short Bio.
Professor D. Mourtzis — Department of Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautics, University of Patras (UoP) (Link), has extensive administrative experience and currently serves as Vice-President of the Research Committee of the University of Patras (2020 to date). He is a Fellow of the International Academy for Production Engineering (CIRP), of the International Federation of Information Processing (IFIP WG 5.7), and of the International Federation of Automatic Control (IFAC 5.2). He has served as a member of the Presidential Council and is an active member of the Scientific Committee of the International Association of Learning Factories (IALF), of the European Factories of the Future Association (EFFRA), of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME), of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers IEEE (IEEE), and of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). His scientific field is Manufacturing Systems Planning and Control Methods, and his research interests focus on the Simulation, Design, Planning and Control of Manufacturing Systems and Networks, on Robotic Systems, on Automation, and on Virtual and Augmented Reality. Moreover, over the past decade his research interests have also focused on the Design, Development and Implementation of solutions based on Cloud Technologies, Digital Twins, 5G Networks, Artificial Intelligence, and Product-Service Systems (PSS). He is actively engaged in research on the Digital Transformation of manufacturing companies and on the application of practices of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0), as well as of the emerging Fifth Industrial Revolution (Industry 5.0/Society 5.0). He is the author of three scientific books, he has published more than four hundred fifty (450) scientific papers — one hundred thirty-eight (138) in high-prestige international scientific journals, one hundred sixty-seven (167) in international scientific conferences with full-paper peer review, thirty-eight (38) book chapters, sixteen (16) editorials, and four (4) white papers, among others. The unique external citations to his published work exceed 25,000 (h-index 80 / i-10 index: 271).
Previous Invited Keynote Speakers
PRO-VE 2025
Dino Pedreschi
University of Pisa, Italy
Vicente Traver
Universitat Politècnica de València, Spain
Bruno Silva
Muvu Technologies, Portugal
PRO-VE 2024
Christophe Maurin
GEODIS, France
Kirsimarja Blomqvist
LUT Business School, Finland
Frederick Benaben
IMT Mines Albi, France; Georgia Tech, USA; Beijing JiaoTong University, China
PRO-VE 2023
Prof. Jan Olhager
Lund University, Sweden
Javier Orozco
European Commission
Prof. Sergio Terzi
Politecnico de Milano, Italy
PRO-VE 2022
Dimitris Kyritsis
EPFL, Switzerland
Massimiliano Luca Dragoni
European Commission
Salvatore Ammirato
University of Calabria, Italy
PRO-VE 2021
Prof. Dmitry Ivanov
Berlin School of Economics and Law, Germany
Prof. Jose Arturo Garza-Reyes
University of Derby, GB, UK
Jean-Luc Garnier
Thales Group, France
PRO-VE 2020
Dr. David E Hawkins
Institute for Collaborative Working, Spain
Dr. Alfons Cornella
Institute of Next and Infonomia, Spain
Dr. Joaquin Soriano
Quality Clarios EMEA, Spain
PRO-VE 2019
Prof. Klaus-Dieter Thoben
University of Bremen, Germany
Prof. Dr. Paulo Leitão
Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, Portugal
PRO-VE 2018
Dr. Hans Schaffers
Radboud University and Adventure Research, Netherlands
Prof. Volker Stich
RWTH Aachen University, Germany
Prof. Americo Azevedo
University of Porto, Portugal
PRO-VE 2017
Prof. Robert Meijer
University of Amsterdam and TNO, Netherlands
Prof. Torben Bach Pedersen
Aalborg University, Denmark
PRO-VE 2016
Dr. Paul Smart
University of Southampton, UK
Prof. Kathleen M. Carley
Carnegie Mellon University, USA
PRO-VE 2015
Prof. François Charoy
University of Lorraine, France
Prof. Bernard Grabot
National Engineering School of Tarbes, France
Prof. Jose Julio Gonzales
University of Agder & Gjovik University College, Norway
PRO-VE 2014
Assoc. Prof. Mehdi Dastani
Utrecht University, Netherlands
Dr. Erastos Filos
European Commission, Belgium
Prof. John Fitzgerald
Newcastle University, UK
PRO-VE 2013
Prof. Dr. Engelbert Westkämper
IPA Fraunhofer, Germany
Prof. Dr. Noshir Contractor
Northwestern University, USA
PRO-VE 2012
Dr. Kyrill Meyer
University Leipzig, Germany
Dr. Rob Dekkers
University of West of Scotland, UK
PRO-VE 2011
Dr. Wilfried Elmenreich
University of Klagenfurt, Austria
PRO-VE 2010
Dr. Juan Carlos Augusto
University of Ulster at Jordanstown, UK
Prof. Benoit Montreuil
Laval University, Canada
PRO-VE 2009
Prof. Wil van der Aalst
Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, Netherlands
Dr. Theologos Athanaselis
Democritus University of Thrace, Greece
Dr. Stylianos Hatzipanagos
King's College London, UK
PRO-VE 2008
Prof. Wouter Los
University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Prof. Krzysztof Zielinski
AGH University of Science and Technology Krakow, Poland
PRO-VE 2007
Dr. Rainer Ruggaber
SAP, Germany
Prof. Luís M. Camarinha-Matos
Nova University of Lisbon / Uninova, Portugal
Dr. Erastos Filos
European Commission, Belgium
PRO-VE 2006
Prof. Simon Jones
University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
PRO-VE 2005
Prof. Shimon Y. Nof
Purdue University, USA
PRO-VE 2004
Dr. Arian Zwegers
European Commission, Belgium
PRO-VE 2003
Prof. Max von Zedtwitz
Tsinghua University, China
Dr. Isidro Laso
European Commission, Belgium
PRO-VE 2002
Dr. Jesus Villasante
European Commission, Belgium
PRO-VE 2000
Dr. Ted Goranson
Sirius-Beta, USA
Hermano Cintra
Neomarkets, Brazil
Dr. Erastos Filosz
European Commission, Belgium
Dr. Marina Manzoni
European Commission, Belgium
PRO-VE 1999
Dr. Erastos Filo
European Commission, Belgium