28th DS Rotterdam Meetup

Hello AI & Data Science enthusiasts! 👋

We’re excited to invite you to the 28th edition of the DS Rotterdam Meetup!

Where: Rotterdam Science Tower - Ground Floor

17:00 – 17:45 Doors Open
17:45 – 18:15: Talk 1 & Questions - Leon Cullens (Databricks)
18:15: – 19:00: Talk 2 & Questions - Dimitrios Gontzes (Cognizant) & Alex de Ronde (Isatis Business Solutions)
19:00 – 20:00: Networking

Talk 1: Leon Cullens (Databricks) -Democratizing Port Data with AI Governance

In this session we live-build a Genie Space using fictitious Dutch port data and take a deep dive into AI governance: which models are used, where they run, what happens to your data, and how Unity Catalog enforces row-level security — even through natural language queries.

Leon Cullens is a solutions architect at Databricks, where he helps EU institutions implement AI use cases on their platform. He was born and raised in Rotterdam and has a background in data engineering. This is his first time speaking at the Rotterdam Data Science meetup, rather than joining as an attendee.

Talk 2: Dimitrios Gontzes (Cognizant) & Alex de Ronde (Isatis Business Solutions) – From Data Governance Foundations to the Future of AI Work

This joint session takes the story further into real-world enterprise challenges.
Alex will kick things off by exploring the essential tools, practices, and controls required for robust data and AI governance, drawing from hands-on experience across diverse organizations. Dimitrios will then complete the picture by addressing what’s often left unsaid in AI governance — including ethical considerations, organizational impact, and how AI is fundamentally reshaping the future of work.
Together, they will share practical insights, real implementation stories, and lessons learned from the front lines of AI adoption.

Alex de Ronde has 10+ years of experience in data science and data management. As a data guru, he has advised and led data teams at 100+ organizations, including Helloprint, the United Nations, and Alliander.

Dimitrios Gontzes: As a Principal Data Scientist for Cognizant, my mission is to ensure the development and deployment of safe and responsible AI. While I have extensive experience in AI development, I am increasingly concerned by the lack of safety mechanisms and controls in place. I want to use my skills to help build a thriving and, at the same time, safer AI future.

We look forward to seeing you there!

If you have colleagues or friends interested in data science, AI, or analytics — feel free to invite them along 🚀

Photography & Media Consent
By registering for this event, you acknowledge and agree that photographs and/or video may be taken during the event. These may include images in which you appear and may be used for promotional, marketing, or documentation purposes by the event organizers, including publication on websites, social media, and other communication channels. If you do not wish to be photographed or recorded, please inform the event staff upon arrival.