Jack's story

When I started my career 28 years ago, I was excited about using data and analytics to drive business decisions. Pretty soon I noticed how statistics and machine learning can be intimidating to business colleagues and executives. I thought that more information would help to reduce that fear.

15 years ago, I had an epiphany. I realized that knowledge or flashy AI tools were not enough to make AI work. I needed to become an AI translator, making AI not just accessible, but understood. I had to focus on the biggest driver of success with AI: people. My mission became to bridge the gap between technology and business by addressing this human factor.

I built data teams, crafted data strategies, implemented data literacy programs, and guided organizations through the maze of AI adoption. Skepticism from executives and resistance to change tested me, but I adapted. I shifted mindsets and made AI about people, not just algorithms. I became good at simplifying complexity, at least that’s what others are telling me.

My data & AI adventure took me to two countries. I worked 14 years in the more progressive USA and 14 years in the more risk-averse Germany. My journey spanned several industries: large high-tech companies (Tektronix & HP in the USA), pharma (MSD in Germany), and a finance startup in between.

In some places, AI was embraced; in others, it was feared. With my technical and business backgrounds (Master of Science in Electrical Engineering, RWTH Aachen, Germany and MBA, University of Washington, Seattle, USA), I was able to refine my approach and bridge the gap between technical developers, business users, and executives.

Today, I’m AI KEYNOTE SPEAKER and ADVISOR. I help companies to accelerate AI adoption by simplifying AI and switching the focus from tools to people.