Research projects
Data for All – Designing and implementin sustainable data solutions for citizens and businesses while promoting a better understanding of data for the public good across borders – more info via this link
Boost AI – Support smaller SMEs in rural regions to safely and effectively adopt AI, while strengthening how Local Authorities and Business Support Organisations guide this transition – more info via this link
Publications on AI Ethics
Folens, T. (2024). AI-ethiek: een verkenning. Collationes Vlaams Tijdschrift voor Theologie en Pastoraal, 54 (3), 297-320.
Folens, T. (2023). Ethical comments on DALL-E 2. EInsight.
Folens, T., Ectors, W. (2023). Hoe ethisch is het gebruik van AI in content marketing? CUSTO. (URL)
Folens, T., Ectors, W. (2023). Dans quelle mesure l’utilisation de l’IA dans le content marketing est-elle éthique ? CUSTO. (URL)
Folens, T. (2023). Ethical Comment on Synthesia & the Curious Case of Deepfakes. The EInsight.
Folens, T. (2023). Ethical Comments on iRobot’s Roomba j Series. Ethical Insights.
Recent Lectures
Folens, T. (2026). AI in onderwijs. Een aanzet tot ethische reflectie. Invited by KULAK. Kortrijk.
Folens, T. (2025). Respondent lecture to Hans Schilderman “Spiritual Care at Universities. A Position Paper”. Invited by CEUC. Presented at the Flourishing Together Holistic Approaches to Wellbeing in Higher Education Conference of European University Chaplains 2025, Drongen, 16 Jun 2025-20 Jun 2025.
Folens, T., Verbeke, S. (2025). Enhancing wellbeing in pastoral care. A practical and interactive approach. Invited by CEUC. Presented at the Flourishing Together Holistic Approaches to Wellbeing in Higher Education Conference of European University Chaplains 2025, Drongen, Belgium, 16 Jun 2025-20 Jun 2025.
Folens, T. (2025). AI ethics and stereotyping. Invited by Arcelor Mital. Gent.
Folens, T. (2024). Data, AI & Governance. Invited by VVSG. Presented at the Verantwoord innoveren als lokaal bestuur, Kortrijk, 10 Sep 2024.
Folens, T. (2024). Ethiek, data & AI. Presented at the Tweedaagse Smart City (VVSG), Kortrijk, 05 Jun 2024-06 Jun 2024.
Background
2000 – KATHO – B.Ed. in Secondary Education — Mathematics, Physics and Religious Education
2005 – Candidate’s Degree in Educational Sciences
2009 – KULeuven – Doctor in Theology (PhD, S.T.D.)
2016 – VIVES Business School – Postgraduate HR in the non-profit
2018 – Artevelde Hogeschool – Postgraduate Professional Coach
2024 – KULeuven – Summer School for the Law, Ethics, and Policy of AI
Affiliation
2009-now. KULeuven – Scientific collaborator Research Unit Theological and Comperative Ethics
2014 -now. VIVES – lecturer and researcher on coaching, peopele management and AI ethics
2022 – now. KULeuven – visiting professor AI ethics
2018 – now. Conectar – Founder and managing director – practice for coaching , trauma work, breathwork and body therapy
Bio 