The AI Bridge team
Afke Schouten
Managing Partner
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 10 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.
Afke Schouten
Managing Partner
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 10 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 Verdon
Managing Partner
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.
Antoine Verdon
Managing Partner
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.
Esther Rietmann
Gen-AI Leader
Esther is the Gen-AI Leader at AI Bridge and has extensive experience in digital content creation and community-building, including serving as Director of Content and Programming at Data Science Salon, where she was responsible for the growth of an international AI community and the execution of conferences and workshops.
Esther Rietmann
Gen-AI Leader
Esther is the Gen-AI Leader at AI Bridge and has extensive experience in digital content creation and community-building, including serving as Director of Content and Programming at Data Science Salon, where she was responsible for the growth of an international AI community and the execution of conferences and workshops.
Leila Smith
Executive Assistant
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).
Leila Smith
Executive Assistant
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).