Jan Smedts is the head of Digitaal Vlaanderen, the digitalization agency of the Flemish government. Digitaal Vlaanderen is the partner of governments in their digital transformation and is known for platforms such as MAGDA data sharing and Mijn Burgerprofiel (My Citizen Profile). Athumi, the Flemish Data Utility Company, also originated within Digitaal Vlaanderen.

My career is centred on semantic modelling and linked data, underpinned by a robust academic background and extensive practical experience in AI and Machine Learning. Focusing on the advancement of semantic technologies, I have been an active contributor to the SEMIC community and team for several years. Currently, I am an external service provider for the European Commission, concentrating on knowledge transfer and semantic transformation within public administrations and European organizations. In this role, I promote SEMIC's assets and actions, establish guidelines to achieve and enhance semantic interoperability,  and facilitate seamless information exchange. Beyond my current responsibilities, I am deeply interested in identifying innovative ways to pair symbolic and sub-symbolic AI by combining ontologies and LLMs.

Project Officer in the Interoperability & Digital Government Unit, Directorate-General for Digital Services. Joined the European Commission in 2009 after 20 years' experience in the private sector in Poland. Since 2017, in charge of the European Commission Open Source Observatory (OSOR). Very pragmatic, energetically promotes sharing and reuse of IT solutions, especially the use of open source as a means to achieve interoperability in public services. Also cooperates with the European Commission OSPO on the implementation of the Preparatory Action FOSSEPS2 (Free and Open Source Solutions for European Public Services).