On May 8, 2025, we hosted our first official event in Switzerland at Prime Tower, Zurich. The gathering marked an important step in our journey to support organizations as they rethink how they work with data, analytics, and artificial intelligence.
The conversation comes at a critical time: according to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2023, 75% of surveyed companies plan to adopt AI technologies within the next five years. This global momentum is also evident across Europe. The European Commission’s EU AI Watch (ai-watch.ec.europa.eu) continuously monitors AI adoption trends across countries and industries, highlighting the growing focus on practical AI strategies throughout the region.
Against this backdrop, the energy in the room at Prime Tower was unmistakable. Leaders from banking, manufacturing, technology, and consulting came together to explore the urgent challenges of adopting AI in tough market conditions. What began as a structured agenda quickly became an open, ongoing dialogue that extended well beyond the scheduled closing time.
Does culture eat technology for breakfast?
The event officially opened with a provocative thought from Ivan Jelić, our CEO, who challenged the audience to rethink the premise behind AI adoption today. “Are we really facing a tough market for AI,” he asked, “or have our expectations simply outpaced what AI can truly deliver in a real-world business context?” It was the perfect invitation to set aside the usual industry buzzwords and instead focus on the practical realities of deploying AI within complex organizational environments.
Building on this, our CTO, Jaroslav Reken, addressed what he described as AI’s inevitable growing pains. While the speed of technological advancement has been remarkable, he explained, many organizations still struggle with the basics. Data readiness lags behind model sophistication. Ownership of data assets remains fragmented. Communication between business leaders and data teams often breaks down. The promise of AI is frequently undermined by the day-to-day realities of poor data quality, internal silos, and organizational inertia.
Their message resonated deeply with the audience. It reframed the conversation from one about tools and algorithms to one about people, processes, and company culture. The point was clear: successful AI adoption cannot happen in isolation from the larger organizational ecosystem. It is never just about the technology; it is always about the people who must make it work.
The same storm, different boats
The diversity of industries at the event reflected a wider global trend. According to the OECD AI Policy Observatory (oecd.ai), AI adoption varies significantly by sector and region, with financial services and manufacturing among the industries most actively exploring AI-driven solutions.
This global dynamic was vividly echoed on stage. The centerpiece of the event was a panel discussion designed not to impress with glossy presentations, but to open the floor to frank, honest, and practical insights from seasoned industry leaders.
Michael Hutab, CIO of Stadler Rail, brought an essential operational perspective from the manufacturing world. His approach was refreshingly straightforward: “AI should be business-driven, not IT-driven,” he noted. “IT is there to enable – not to dictate.” His remarks struck a chord with the audience, many of whom have experienced the exact challenge of balancing the demands of innovation with the stability requirements of critical infrastructure. As Michael explained, losing that balance is when value starts to evaporate.
Sherryl Manalo, Global Head of Software Solutions at Julius Bär, shared insights from the highly regulated world of banking and financial services. She emphasized that AI can never operate as an isolated, experimental project. It must be deeply integrated into both the company’s strategy and its culture to succeed. Her message was clear: compliance and innovation are not mutually exclusive, but they require careful orchestration and leadership commitment.
Miltiadis Sarakinos, Head of Data Analytics at Bank Cler, offered what became one of the defining statements of the event: “If everyone uses the same model, everyone ends up with the same mediocre results.” His words underscored the critical need for organizations to invest in internal data literacy and cultivate a mindset of continuous experimentation. According to Sarakinos, relying solely on off-the-shelf solutions and external vendors inevitably leads to missed opportunities and sameness in outcomes.
The hardest part of technology is people
As the evening progressed, and as voices and ideas continued to circulate long after the formal agenda had concluded, one clear insight quietly rose to the surface: one that everyone, from panelists to participants, seemed to agree on: AI is not a technology problem. It is a culture challenge.
The advancements in platforms, tools, and methodologies have never been more accessible. Organizations can scale their infrastructure and deploy increasingly sophisticated algorithms. Yet, time and again, these same organizations find themselves stuck. Why? Because technology moves fast, but people, mindsets, and institutional habits do not.
The lessons were clear: AI will not magically transform a company that is not prepared to transform itself first.
Jaroslav Reken put it bluntly but wisely: “The organizations that succeed with AI are the ones that empower their people to test, fail, learn, and try again.” His statement served as a call to action for leaders to focus less on chasing perfection and more on creating safe environments for experimentation and learning.
Michael Hutab echoed this sentiment with a memorable conclusion: “AI is not a reporting tool. It’s a laboratory for discovering insights. That’s the only way to stay ahead.” His words captured the very spirit of the event- that AI is not about fixed outcomes, but about enabling organizations to explore, adapt, and evolve continuously.
What’s next?
What started as a single event revealed a larger need – a space for honest, peer-to-peer conversation, free from vendor sales pitches or predetermined answers.
We are proud to continue this journey. Our next event will take place on September 25, 2025, once again in Zurich. We welcome everyone ready to challenge assumptions and explore the reality of AI adoption together. Our focus remains the same: empowering people, fostering strong cultures, and embracing experimentation as an essential part of progress.
AI is not a fixed destination; it is a continuous journey, and we look forward to continuing to explore it with you.
All quotes paraphrased from the live panel discussion.
As a marketing and communications specialist with experience across the IT and technology industries, I help organizations transform complex ideas into clear, engaging narratives that resonate with business audiences. I’m equally committed to advocating for fairness and positive change in every community I’m part of.
Svetlana Kosić
Content Marketing Specialist