The AI Bridge team

As the founder of AI Bridge, AI Strategist, (ex-) senior data scientist, and former Data & AI practitioner at organizations including Ernst & Young, Swiss Re, and swiss Quant, Afke Schouten has over 15 years of experience leading AI projects and helping organizations in generating business value through AI. 

She is listed among the important people of 2024 by Handelszeitung. Her expertise and her ability to communicate complex ideas in an accessible manner makes her a sought-after trainer for analytics translation and a facilitator for strategy workshops. 

Frequently appearing in media outlets, serving as a guest on numerous podcasts, and engaging as a public speaker, Afke Schouten has become a recognized voice in the data science community. Afke Schouten studied mathematics at Leiden University and econometrics and management science at the Erasmus School of Economics. She leads the MAS AI Leadership at HWZ Zurich and serves as the program director for the CAS AI Management, CAS AI Transformation and CAS AI Innovation. Additionally, she lectures on AI and AI Management in various CAS programs.

Antoine has spent the last 15 years at the forefront of the technology transformation, building and growing several companies while serving as an advisor to a wide spectrum of organisations, working with boards and government clients to navigate the impact of digital innovation on businesses and society.

He began his journey in 2008 with the creation of Sandbox, which he developed into a worldwide community of young innovators, spanning over 40 hubs globally, before going on to establish the first Swiss venture fund entirely focused on financial technology. Early investments into blockchain technology led him to become a pioneer of the Swiss Crypto Valley, where he supported various projects as early as 2014, before launching his own ICO adventure, an open-source no- code solution for blockchain applications.

Antoine studied law at the Universities of Freiburg and St Gallen and was listed twice among the 100 most influential Swiss by magazines L’Hebdo and Bilan.

Manuel currently serves as the Director of the NZZ Academy. As a pioneer in the digital space, Manuel founded and headed the Institute of Digital Business, as well as the Master of Advanced Studies in Digital Business and the Executive EMBA in Digital Leadership at HWZ University of Applied Sciences Zurich from 2011 to 2024. A recognized keynote speaker and editorial author, Manuel has been influential in shaping forward-thinking strategies in multiple companies. For his contributions, he was awarded the 'Digital Pioneer of the Year' by the IAB in 2013, and in 2015, the readers of Marketing & Kommunikation magazine voted him 'Thought Leader of the Year.’ Manuel holds a master's degree in International Management from the University of St. Gallen and is an alumnus of Singularity University and INSEAD.

Esther is the Applied Gen AI Lead at AI Bridge, where she translates advances in generative AI into practical applications for businesses. With over a decade of experience in AI content creation and community building, Esther has witnessed firsthand how AI has transformed industries and driven innovation in organizations.

At AI Bridge, she empowers teams to navigate AI challenges and seamlessly integrate generative AI into their daily workflows. Renowned for her pragmatic and motivating approach, Esther has organized and led numerous AI events and workshops, equipping organizations and professionals with the skills and tools to harness the transformative power of AI.

Previously, Esther served as the Director of Content and Programming at Data Science Salon. In this role, she co-created and implemented the strategic roadmap for a diverse community of over 60,000 data scientists.

Lisa Weinzierl began her career in banking and auditing, where she developed a keen sense for precision and analytical thinking. Her curiosity to understand deeper connections led her to pursue a Master’s degree in Business & Economics with a focus on "Quantitative Methods." During this time, she discovered her passion for data and the limitless possibilities of the IT world – marking the beginning of her journey into technology and innovation.

With technical know-how and a clear view of the bigger picture, Lisa worked for three years as a Data Scientist in external data and IT consulting. In 2022, she joined Swiss Post, where she took on two key roles: Head of Data & Insights and Head of Artificial Intelligence. In these positions, she drove the integration of data and AI, reshaped how the company understood and used these technologies, and unlocked new opportunities for the practical application of AI.

Today, Lisa is an integral part of the AI Bridge team. With her passion and extensive expertise, she drives strategic implementation at the intersection of data and AI. Backed by a strong track record of leading impactful AI initiatives, she is committed to connecting cutting-edge technology with real business needs.

Chris has been involved in digitalization projects since 2015. He has gained experience at Big Four firms, law firms, legal departments, and startups. His focus is on legal advisory units, which he supports in various roles with their digital transformation and process optimization efforts. He maintains a strong network of decision-makers in the legal market as well as providers of modern software solutions both within and outside of Switzerland.

As office manager, Leila supports the team with key business and administrative processes. She enjoys spending her free time with her husband and two children or on the tennis court with her fellow players. Hiking and skiing in the mountains are also among her hobbies. LL.B Law with French Law and a language Solicitor of England & Wales (non-practising).