Sylvac will open its doors on 01.09.2026 for a half-day on AI in R&D: industrial practice (Tools, IP, change management and real-world applications)
Taking place from 13:00 to 18:00, this afternoon organized in collaboration with Sylvac and AI Swiss will focus on how to use AI in R&D, with concrete insights from AI Swiss, P&TS, Philip Morris International, Embiggen, HEIG-VD, Iprova, Intoflow, and Sylvac through expert talks, 2 workshops, a guided visit of Sylvac’s facilities, and a networking aperitif.
Program
12h45 Welcome coffee
13h00 Opening with Stéphane Fallet, President of AI Swiss, Eric Schnyder, CEO of Sylvac, and Joëlle Tosetti, Managing Director of CoBooster
13h15 Introduction from Adrien Marcone, European and Swiss Patent Attorney at P&TS
P&TS is an intellectual property firm supporting companies and academic institutions in protecting, defending and valorising inventions. The introduction will address key IP considerations when using AI in R&D and collaborative innovation contexts.
13h30 Presentation from Cosmin Cioroiu, Director New Business Commercial Innovation Ecosystem at Philip Morris International
Philip Morris International (PMI) is a leading international consumer goods company working to deliver a smoke-free future and evolving its portfolio for the long term to include products outside of the tobacco and nicotine sector.
13h50 Presentation from Nicolas Souvlakis, Managing Partner Europe at Embiggen X: « AI solution for technology sourcing and procurement »
Embiggen Europe based in Neuchâtel is the European hub of EmbiggenX an international Business AI & Data Transformation company that works with enterprises to develop tailor-made solutions through data science and artificial intelligence. We help businesses realize tangible increases in performance by turning scattered data and tools into one connected, intelligent organization.
14h10 Presentation from Bertil Chapuis, Professor at HEIG-VD
HEIG-VD is the School of Engineering and Management of the Canton of Vaud. This presentation will focus on change management and the human, organisational and practical dimensions of AI adoption.
14h30 Presentation from Houssem Ben Salem, R&D Manager at Sylvac
Sylvac develops Swiss precision metrology instruments, machines, software and service solutions for industrial manufacturing and quality control.
14h50 Coffee break
15h10 Presentation from Julian Nolan, Founder and CEO of Iprova
Iprova enables enterprises to invent faster and with greater commercial impact by combining human expertise with AI-enabled invention and innovation tools.
15h30 Presentation from Vincent Nassar, CEO of IntoFlow
IntoFlow works at the intersection of AI, leadership and organisational transformation, helping leaders and teams integrate artificial intelligence in a human-centred and responsible way.
15h50 Workshops led by Iprova and IntoFlow
Two 30-minute workshops will allow participants to explore concrete AI use cases, discuss implementation challenges and identify practical opportunities for their own R&D or innovation activities.
16h50 Workshop wrap-up and conclusion
17h15 Networking aperitif and/or visit
Presentation of the speakers
Adrien Marcone, European and Swiss Patent Attorney at P&TS
Presentation from Cosmin Cioroiu, Director New Business Commercial Innovation Ecosystem at Philip Morris International
Nicolas Souvlakis, Managing Partner, Embiggen Europe . Nicolas spent 35 years in the industry, 28 years at Philip Morris International in 4 different countries and 13 different positions in engineering, production, supply chain and strategic planning. He was Director of factories with 500 to 2000+ employees and VP Operations at Philip Morris HQ in charge of global engineering and manufacturing digital transformation. Now, he is Managing Partner Embiggen Europe SA, European subsidiary Embiggen X, Singapore.
Bertil Chapuis, Professor at HEIG-VD
Houssem Ben Salem, R&D Manager at Sylvac
Julian Nolan, Founder and CEO of Iprova
Presentation from Vincent Nassar, CEO of IntoFlow
Logistical informations
Date
Tuesday
1st September 2026
13h00
Location
Parking
Some parkplaces are available on site.
In case the parking is full, the big parking Le Forum is available, 5min walk
Conditions of entry
This event is limited to 40 people.
The event will be in English, with the visit in English and/or German and French, depending on the attendees.
Registration
« * » indique les champs nécessaires
