PROGRAMME

Current conference time in Ljubljana, Slovenia

The official preliminary programme is now available!

You can download it here: ML, TIIM &PIConf 2026 – Preliminary Programme – 2. 2. 2026

WELCOME ADDRESSES

The conference will officially open with welcome speeches delivered by representatives of the organizing institutions: the International School for Social and Business Studies (Slovenia), Maria Curie-Skłodowska University (Poland), Kasetsart University (Thailand), and MED.E.A (Malta). These addresses will formally inaugurate the conference, welcome participants from around the world, and outline the shared vision, international cooperation, and academic focus that define the MakeLearn, TIIM & PIConf community.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Jay Liebowitz, DSc., Special Advisor to the President, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA

Keynote Title:  Leveraging AI for Business Innovation
Speech Abstract:
 

AI seems to be omnipresent.  Whether at home, school, office, or play, AI seems to have a role in our lives.  It is hotter than ever in the 70 years of its existence.  Businesses are discovering new ways of leveraging AI for business innovation.  However, some recent reports and studies indicate that GenAI hasn’t produced the enterprise-wide return on investment as predicted.  The presentation, based on his new book Leveraging AI for Business Innovation (World Scientific, 2026), will discuss how organizations can best leverage AI for innovation, and will highlight future trends ahead.

Opinion Piece:
 

Building on the themes of his keynote, Dr Jay Liebowitz offers a reflective opinion piece on why “AI is all the rage.” Drawing on decades of experience in the field, he explores the opportunities and challenges of AI—from ethics and governance to human-centered decision-making—and invites readers to explore his full perspective in the opinion piece available below.

Access the Opinion Piece here: AI is All the Rage – Opinion Piece

About the Speaker:
 

Dr. Jay Liebowitz recently served as Professor of Business Innovation and Industry Transformation and Director of a new AI-EDGE Center in the Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College.  He is a Special Advisor to the President at Thomas Jefferson University on AI and Analytics initiatives.  He also served as the inaugural Executive-in-Residence for Public Service at Columbia University’s Data Science Institute. He was a Full Professor in the Carey Business School at Johns Hopkins University.  Prior to joining Hopkins, Dr. Liebowitz was the first Knowledge Management Officer at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.  Before NASA, Dr. Liebowitz was the Robert W. Deutsch Distinguished Professor of Information Systems at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County, Professor of Management Science at George Washington University, and Chair of Artificial Intelligence at the U.S. Army War College.  Dr. Liebowitz is the Founding Editor-in-Chief of Expert Systems With Applications: An International Journal (published by Elsevier; ranked as a top-tier AI journal).  He is a Fulbright Research Chair, IEEE-USA Federal Communications Commission Executive Fellow, and Computer Educator of the Year (International Association for Computer Information Systems).  He is in the Top 2% of the top scientists in the world, according to a 2019 Stanford Study.

EDITOR'S & ACADEMIC WRITING PANEL: Publishing in Transition – AI, Openness, and Research Integrity

Editors’ & Academic Writing Panel: Publishing in Transition – AI, Openness, and Research Integrity

This panel will offer insights into publishing in a rapidly evolving academic landscape shaped by artificial intelligence, open access, and research integrity. Editors and experienced scholars will share practical guidance on publishing strategies, journal expectations, and ethical considerations, providing valuable advice for researchers at all career stages.

Co-Chairs:

PROF. ZBIGNIEW PASTUSZAK, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, Poland

(Editor-in-Chief: International Journal of Value Chain Management)

(Associate Editor: Expert Systems with Applications)

PROF. KONGKITI PHUSAVAT, Kasetsart University, Thailand

(Editor-in-Chief: International Journal of Innovation and Learning)

Panelists:

Panelists will be invited by the organizers in the coming weeks and announced shortly thereafter.

PROJECTS' FORUM: European and Global Cooperation through Research – Funding, Impact and Innovation Perspectives

Projects’ Forum: European and Global Cooperation through Research – Funding, Impact and Innovation Perspectives

The Projects’ Forum will highlight European and global research cooperation, with a focus on funding opportunities, project implementation, and societal impact. Participants will explore best practices, challenges, and innovation perspectives in international research collaboration, encouraging networking and future partnerships.

Co-Chairs:

PROF. TAMAR DOLIDZE, Batumi State Maritime Academy, Georgia, MED.E.A., Malta

PROF. ANCA DRĂGHICI, Universitatea Politehnica Timisoara, Romania

Panelists:

Panelists will be invited by the organizers in the coming weeks and announced shortly thereafter.

OPEN SCIENCE FORUM: Open Science for Global Knowledge Equity – Opportunities, Challenges and Institutional Strategies

Open Science Forum: Open Science for Global Knowledge Equity – Opportunities, Challenges and Institutional Strategies

The Open Science Forum will bring together academic leaders and practitioners to discuss opportunities, challenges, and institutional strategies for advancing open science globally. The session will focus on knowledge equity, responsible research practices, and the role of universities and international cooperation in fostering openness and impact.

Co-Chairs:

PROF. DAVID VANNOZZI, Vice President of International Academic Relations and Development, Multiversity Group; General Manager MED.E.A. HEI for Mediterranean, Europe and Africa, Malta

PROF. MATTI MUHOS, University of Oulu, Finland

Panelists:

Panelists will be invited by the organizers in the coming weeks and announced shortly thereafter.

CONTACT

International School for Social and Business Studies
Mariborska cesta 7, SI-3000 Celje, Slovenia
Phone: +386 3 425 82 24
Fax: +386 3 425 82 22
E-mail: ma*******@***bs.si

Makelearn Conference 2026
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