AI only creates value when it makes a real difference to the business”

It's not every day you get to experience a technological shift that fundamentally reshapes an entire industry. For Daniel, this has become a very real and personal experience.

Having co-founded Esatto and helped grow the company through many years of expansion, he also experienced how the market began to change. Approaches that had previously worked well no longer delivered the same results, and new technologies and methods were reshaping the industry. With the rapid breakthrough of AI, it became clear that the rules were being rewritten, fundamentally changing his perspective on both technology and business development.

"It's fascinating to be part of the transformation we're currently experiencing. First, you build a company in a growing industry, then you watch the market change, and eventually you realise that we're in the middle of an enormous technological shift that affects virtually everything. I believe that 20 years from now, we'll look back on this period as a new industrial revolution. Even though it can feel a little daunting at times, it's also a privilege to be part of this development," Daniel reflects.

Embracing change with curiosity

When AI began reshaping the industry, Daniel could have chosen to defend established ways of working. Instead, his curiosity took over. For him, the natural response was to understand the technology, explore its possibilities and learn as much as possible.

"The only sensible way to approach this development is to work with the technology, not against it. Of course, major changes can feel challenging, especially when they affect something you've helped build yourself. But the opportunities are enormous if you're willing to embrace them," he explains.

The intersection of technology, people and society has always fascinated him. Daniel describes himself as someone who quickly picks up on emerging trends and enjoys diving deep into subjects that spark his curiosity. With AI, he has found an area where all these interests come together. Unlike many previous technology trends, he sees AI already influencing people's everyday lives, business models and society as a whole, in ways that reach into almost every aspect of life.

"What makes AI so exciting is that it's about much more than new technology. It affects how we work, how companies create value and which skills will be needed in the future. It's precisely this intersection that I now find so fascinating to explore and work with alongside our clients," Daniel continues.

Let go of the prestige and dare to experiment

At Esatto, Daniel has been one of the driving forces behind exploring the possibilities of AI and challenging established perceptions of how the technology can be used. His starting point has been simple: to understand what AI can do, you need to start experimenting with it yourself.

By testing different AI tools and applications, he has focused on demonstrating that creating value with this new technology doesn't necessarily require an extensive technical background.

"We all need to step outside our comfort zones and put our egos aside. You don't have to be a developer or a technology expert to achieve powerful things with AI. What matters is having the courage to experiment, staying curious and discovering what's actually possible," he says.

Daniel believes that many organisations still underestimate what can already be achieved. At the same time, discussions about AI risk getting stuck on technology choices, strategy documents and future scenarios instead of focusing on the practical opportunities available here and now.

"I'm absolutely convinced that hands-on experimentation is an incredibly important part of building both understanding and a willingness to change within organisations. When people experience firsthand what the technology can do, it becomes much easier to see how it could benefit their own business," he continues.

How AI is transforming the role of consultants

AI development has not only changed what clients need. It has also given the role of consultants a new dimension. Demand for qualified advisory services is stronger than it has been in a long time, and AI has quickly become a strategic priority for executive teams. At the same time, many organisations are still searching for answers about how to make the best use of the technology.

"I feel that my colleagues and I are far more relevant as consultants today. We walk into meeting rooms where there's genuine curiosity and an expectation that we'll contribute knowledge and fresh perspectives. Clients want to learn more, explore opportunities and often continue the conversation. This also means we're increasingly engaging directly with executive teams. AI is no longer just about IT or individual digitalisation projects. It's about business development, competitiveness and future commercial opportunities," Daniel explains.

This is where both Esatto and the broader expertise across the Dizparc Group have an important role to play. Staying at the forefront of technological development is essential, but it's equally important to understand the bigger picture and help clients see what these changes mean for their specific business.

"As a consultant, you need to bring more to the table than technology alone. You have to understand where developments are heading, translate them into relevant opportunities and have a clear perspective on how the client can move forward," says Daniel.

From AI enthusiasm to responsible adoption

As the opportunities continue to grow, Daniel is seeing clients ask increasingly practical questions. The discussion is no longer primarily about what AI is or whether it will affect their business. Instead, organisations want to understand how they can start using AI in ways that deliver real results without compromising security, accountability or people's trust.

The key question right now is how companies can use AI safely and responsibly while realising the value the technology has to offer. This involves both the technical foundations and the people within the organisation. Information security, technology, skills development and change management are becoming increasingly interconnected. Businesses need to understand not only the opportunities AI creates, but also how working methods, roles and responsibilities may need to evolve.

Daniel therefore sees AI transformation as something much bigger than introducing new tools. It's about developing an organisation's overall ability to harness the technology, while also ensuring that AI takes a more prominent place on the wider societal agenda.

"I hope that a year from now, we'll have made more progress in discussing what AI means for society and that we'll start demanding clearer action from policymakers. These are issues that will affect all of us and need to be discussed at many more levels. Those who don't start adapting will face serious challenges. We're in the middle of an enormous technological shift, and we need to be part of it. You don't need to have all the answers from the beginning, but you do need to get started," Daniel concludes.