Description

I am a builder who can think at a strategic level. I sold my first software when I was 16, but also guided many organisations in their AI journey over the past 13 years.

What makes me different is that I can connect the deep technical level (code) with the strategy level.
I can link to the newest (and oldest) scientific insights, to go from state-of-practice to state-of-the-art
I typically take a coaching role, mainly because AI implementations are maintenance-heavy, and require a thorough transfer to clients and their teams. It's not a single hand-off
To improve hand-over, I can also build prototypes that implement the AI architecture in code.

I have seen too many AI innovation projects fail for the wrong reasons. I want to avoid others making the same mistakes.

I can help you figure out what AI is, how it works and what you can expect when trying to get value from AI. Because AI is much more than a technology: it's a new pair of glasses on the world..

Industry field of expertise

Languages

Dutch
Native or bilingual
English
Native or bilingual
French
Conversational

Workplace preferences

Can work on-site

Brussels (up to 50km)

Sarandib
Principal AI architect (freelance)
DIGITAL AND IT
July 2026 - Today (1 month)
Brussels, Belgium
Through strategic workshops, deep tech coaching and iterative prototyping, I provide my specialised skills in aligning code with business strategy.

Specific expertise in Cybersecurity (threat detection) and education.
artificial intelligence Innovation research & development Cybersecurity Strategic planning
CollectiveUP
Head of Research
CIVIC AND SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS
July 2026 - Today (1 month)
Ghent, Belgium
I lead research efforts on computational democracy, focusing on how technology and AI, in particular, can help us understand and improve democracy and participatory practices.
research & development artificial intelligence
Artificial Intelligence Lab, Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Head Applied R&D
January 2017 - January 2026 (9 years)
As head of Applied R&D, a division I founded within the AI lab, I manage and coach a team of 9 AI researchers. For more details, see R&D projects in the appendix.
Lifelong learning programme I founded the programme to educate professionals from industry & public institutions in AI. We implement a unique game & experience-oriented approach and have given training to the European Commission, the European Parliament, and many industrial partners.