Highlights from nexxworks Youth Tour Boston 2024

In July, 20 parents and 20 future innovators joined us in Boston for the nexxworks Youth Tour 2024. The Youth Tour is designed to bridge the gap between seasoned professionals and the younger generation, encouraging mutual inspiration and learning. It’s a rare opportunity to connect with seasoned speakers, dedicated parents, and passionate young innovators all in one place.

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Over three days, participants engaged in a jam-packed schedule filled with visits to leading institutions, keynote speeches from industry pioneers, and interactive sessions.

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Some of the standout stops on our tour included Northeastern University, where we explored innovative educational approaches, Boston Dynamics, where we experienced the future of robotics firsthand, and MassChallenge, where we discovered new pathways to entrepreneurial success. We even had a few surprises along the way, keeping everyone on their toes!

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Watch the full recap on YouTube!

Register for the Next Youth Tour Here

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Day 0: Welcome to Boston!

Our adventure started on a sunny Sunday afternoon at The Verb Hotel, a quirky, rock-n-roll-themed spot that set the perfect tone for our tour. After settling in, we took a short walk to our event space for an introduction by Peter Hinssen.

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Kicking off the tour with his characteristic energy and wit, Peter Hinssen delivered a keynote that resonated deeply with all attendees. He highlighted the dramatic shifts in technology and society, using a mix of historical anecdotes and future predictions.

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"This is a world that's going to be volatile. It's a world that's going to be fluid," Peter remarked, urging us to stay flexible and open-minded. His talk was both a reality check and a call to action, encouraging everyone to embrace the "never normal" and look ahead with optimism and readiness for change.

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The evening took an exciting turn with a surprise guest appearance by Joe Fenti, a comedian who grew up in Massachusetts and now performs regularly in Boston. Joe’s hilarious anecdotes about his journey from a third-grade talent show to the Boston comedy scene had young crowd in stitches.

Register for the Next Youth Tour Here

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Day 1: Diving into Innovation

Our first full day began with a visit to Northeastern University. Known for its experiential learning model, Northeastern provided us with a fascinating look at how education can integrate with real-world experience. This experience was particularly relevant to better understand the differences between U.S. and EU educational systems.  

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David De Cremer, the dean of the D'Amore-McKim School of Business, delivered a keynote on AI and leadership. In his book "The AI Savvy Leader," De Cremer explores the transformative impact of AI on leadership and management. His talk emphasized the importance of ethical AI use and how future leaders can use AI to make informed decisions.

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Mieke De Ketelaere's keynote focused on how AI and automation are transforming the job market by handling repetitive, difficult, predictive, dangerous, and dirty tasks, allowing humans to focus on more critical work. She discussed the ethical concerns of AI deployment and the importance of thorough testing. She also highlighted the need for social and empathetic skills to collaborate effectively in an AI-driven future. Her keynote was praised for its tangible and practical insights, making complex concepts accessible to everyone.

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Next, we toured MassChallenge, a global non-profit startup accelerator that supports early-stage entrepreneurs across various industries. The tour was led by a member of the team who explained their unique approach to fostering entrepreneurship with volunteer assessors. It gave a unique opportunity for young entrepreneurs to learn from a leading global startup accelerator. One participant commented, "It was eye-opening to see how different their approach is compared to traditional VCs."

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The visit included a keynote by Dries Buytaert, the founder of Drupal as well as the co-founder, Chief Technology Officer, and Chief Strategy Officer at Acquia. He is one of the most successful Belgian tech entrepreneurs. Dries shared his journey of growing a tech company. Dries's honesty about his failures and successes resonated deeply with the group.  

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In the afternoon, we visited Inrupt, where co-founder and CEO John Bruce gave us a glimpse into the future of digital wallets and decentralized data management. His work with Tim Berners-Lee (creator of the internet) on the Solid platform highlighted the potential for safer, user-controlled internet experiences. This was especially unique as the Flemish government collaborates with Inrupt to protect citizen data, making it important for young leaders to understand these advancements and their implications. The discussion sparked many questions about data privacy and the practical applications of such technologies.  

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Gabi Zijderveld from Blue Tulip Ventures followed with a talk on human-centric AI and ethical investing. Her journey from startup advisor to AI innovator was inspiring, and her advice on knowing one's worth struck a chord with many young attendees. "Don't sell yourself short," she emphasized, underscoring the importance of self-value in professional growth.

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Peter Hinssen added his signature touch of wit and insight during the day. Reflecting on the high cost of U.S. education, he humorously noted, "Northeastern, 75,000 dollars a year. OK, because Tufts is 92,000, and Vanderbilt passed 101,000. So, we got the cheap one today," drawing laughs while making a serious point about the educational landscape.  

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He also shared fascinating stories about innovation and technology, including the potential business case for using humanoid robots in dangerous situations. One story involved Dutch military software made in the US. "The software isn't installed locally; it's in the cloud. And the Dutch had to come to the US for training on the software," he said. Since the software was made in the US, its creators had restricted it from targeting locations within the US.  The story underscored a key point: those who set the rules for technology have significant influence over its use.

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The day wrapped up with rooftop drinks and a delightful dinner at Nightshift Brewery. Attendees shared their key takeaways and personal insights, bonding over shared aspirations and the day's enlightening experiences.

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Day 2: Exploring the Innovation Ecosystem

We started the second day with a walk along the Boston Innovation Trail, where we explored the city's rich history of scientific and entrepreneurial breakthroughs. Some of the spots we visited include the Museum of Science, founded in 1830, the Entrepreneur’s Walk of fame, featuring founders and inventors like Thomas Edison and Steve Jobs of Apple.  

We were also lucky enough to pass by the Museum of Medical History and Innovation which highlights the evolution of medicine.

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A quote that stands out about the Boston Innovation Trail is “when people think of American history, they think of Boston” Our guide's engaging storytelling brought to life the tales of past inventors and their impact on today's technology. Participants found the trail not only educational but also inspiring, as it highlighted the continuous nature of innovation.

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During our visit to MIT, a panel talk featuring Belgian-origin speakers Wouter Van De Pontseele, Adrianna Vandeuren, and Jeroen Audenaert offered a deep dive into their cutting-edge research. This was particularly exciting for the group, as the speakers also addressed comparisons between living, studying, and working in the USA and Belgium.

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Wouter discussed his work on dark matter, neutrinos, and quantum computing, while Adrianna shared insights into her research on the G-quadruplex DNA structure in cancer cells, and Jeroen explained how AI is revolutionizing astronomy.  

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Their presentations were followed by a lively Q&A session moderated by Peter Hinssen. The audience was fascinated by the depth of knowledge and passion these young researchers displayed. One participant remarked, "Their work is so advanced, it’s almost like listening to science fiction!"

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Boston Dynamics wowed us with a live demo of their robot, Spot, a versatile robot introduced 4.5 years ago, initially gaining attention through viral videos of dancing robots. The agility and dexterity of Spot left everyone in awe and sparked discussions about the future of automation. Each robot, such as Spot, costs approximately $110,000 for hardware alone.

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At the MIT-IBM Watson Lab, we learned about groundbreaking AI research and the development of applications in fields like healthcare, cybersecurity, and finance. Key areas include AI algorithms and systems, AI hardware, practical AI applications, and the ethics and policy of AI. The lab’s work on practical AI applications and AI ethics offered a balanced view of the potential and challenges of AI.  

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In an interactive session, John Michael Schert helped us reflect on our experiences so far. His approach to integrating creativity into leadership sparked discussions. John provided a refreshing perspective on how creative thinking can enhance leadership skills. The session was highly interactive, encouraging participants to share their thoughts and takeaways from the tour.

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Peter Hinssen wrapped up the day with an inspiring keynote. Reflecting on the day's experiences, Peter emphasized the importance of embracing uncertainty, stating, "We're living in an era where the only constant is change. Embrace the uncertainty and leverage it to drive innovation." He also highlighted the role of curiosity, "Curiosity is the engine of progress. Without it, innovation stalls."  

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We ended the day with a hearty dinner. The conversations flowed as freely as the food and drink, with everyone sharing their highlights and takeaways.

Register for the Next Youth Tour Here

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Day 3: Harvard and Farewell

Our final day started with a behind-the-scenes tour of Harvard University, the most iconic university in the world. Walking the historic campus, we learned about its storied past and the luminaries who have walked its halls. Our guide, Erich Nussbaumer, provided fascinating insights into Harvard’s history and its impact on global education and leadership.  

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Participants were visibly impressed by the grandeur and legacy of the institution. One attendee noted, "It’s incredible to walk the same paths as some of the greatest minds in history."

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Our visit also included a presentation from the Boston Police Department (BPD), where we learned about their commitment to community policing and innovation. Established in 1838, the BPD fosters strong community relationships through initiatives like the Ice Cream Truck program, which uses ice cream trucks as icebreakers to engage with communities and initiate conversations to build trust.  

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They focus on local hiring, use technology for crime prevention, and have some of the lowest homicide rates in the nation. The BPD offers tailored programs for youth, seniors, and everyone in between. Our group was especially interested in discussing US gun laws and comparing them to those in Belgium and Europe. The visit gave us valuable insights into community initiatives and modern policing challenges.  

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Our Boston adventure ended with a splash—literally! The Duck Tour, with its amphibious vehicles, took us on a fun and informative ride through Boston’s streets and the Charles River. The guides were entertaining, sharing quirky facts and historical anecdotes that kept everyone engaged. It was the perfect way to say goodbye to a city that had been our gracious host. The lighthearted tour provided a cheerful ending to an intense and inspiring trip.

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One of the standout testimonials came from Ann, who shared on LinkedIn:

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“I've been trying to get the last four days in a nutshell. Let's just say that this is not an easy task. For the past four days, I have been with my son on the nexxworks Youth Tour to Boston. ✈ A trip where we were immersed in the world of AI explained by speakers such as David De Cremer, Geertrui Mieke De Ketelaere, ... We got to know the story (which originated in his student room) from Dries Buytaert which grew into Drupal 🥇 .... ”

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Another participant, Els, reflected:  
“During 3,5 intensive days, we plunged into the thrilling vibes of Bostonian entrepreneurship. I could never give a round-up like Peter Hinssen did but I think this movie in a way summarizes the impact this tour had on me. No matter how hard innovation goes, it felt good to realize the importance of our soft skills. I would like to thank Peter Hinssen for the heartwarming, inspirational speeches.”  

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Jelle also shared his thoughts:
“The Boston Youth Tour 2024 was absolutely remarkable. Not only did it change my opinion about the US, but it also gave Aaron without a doubt interesting views on potentially studying abroad. Boston is certainly the best US city I’ve ever visited. It is, in my personal opinion, the most European-inspired one.”  

Every stop on our 2024 Youth Tour offered unique insights. We learned, built connections, and left Boston inspired to drive change in our respective fields.

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Register for the Next Youth Tour Here

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Keywords

Innovation, Entrepreneurship, AI, Ethics, Digital Wallets, Quantum Computing, Startups, Experiential Learning, Robotics, Community Policing, Ethical Investing, Leadership, Peter Hinssen, David De Cremer, Dries Buytaert, John Bruce, Gabi Zijderveld, Tim Berners-Lee, Northeastern University, Boston Dynamics, MassChallenge, Inrupt, Blue Tulip Ventures, MIT-IBM Watson Lab, Harvard University, Youth Tour, nexxworks, AI experts. Technology, Education, Future of Work, Business Innovation, Cross-Generational Learning, Networking, Keynote Speakers, Tech Pioneers, Data Privacy, Artificial Intelligence, Creative Leadership, Scientific Research, Historical Landmarks, Global Collaboration, Professional Growth.

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