Lisanne Buik

About Lisanne Buik

With her unique Gracious AI methodology, developed as early as 2017, Lisanne offers an ethical and future-proof framework for designing and implementing artificial intelligence. Her approach empowers organizations and leaders not only to navigate technological acceleration but also to leverage AI as a catalyst for sustainability and positive transformation.

“Many organizations understand they need to engage with AI, but they often struggle to determine how and where it can genuinely create value. The challenge is rarely a lack of data or technology – rather, it lies in the absence of a clear ethical and strategic framework. AI is not a magic pill – it is only as effective as the vision guiding its design and application. Without a well-defined vision, AI risks not just failing to add value but potentially amplifying existing problems.”

From her early entrepreneurial success – selling her first startup, VanChefs, at the age of 26 – to her current role, Lisanne’s career has been guided by a single vision: uniting technology and humanity to create value for people, the planet, and the future. This vision emerged from her experience of losing her core values under the pressure of investors and the rapid growth of her first business.

Leadership determines how we use technology, but grace defines the impact we create with it.

Lisanne’s influence spans collaborations with prominent organizations, including the Dutch and Luxembourg governments, Philips, SAP, and the Amsterdam Metropolitan Region. She has shared her insights on stages such as Tedx, Dutch Design Week, Van Gogh Museum, and The Next Web, and lectures on AI and ethics at universities including Erasmus University and the University of Lucerne.

AI and sustainability: a partnership for the future

Whether it’s addressing rising sea levels, as she researched for the Dutch government, designing business models that support biodiversity, or creating circular supply chains with zero waste, AI offers immense opportunities for a regenerative future. However, these opportunities can only be realized if AI is carefully and thoughtfully designed and applied.

In her PhD research at Sapienza Università di Roma, Lisanne explores how AI can learn from natural processes to create circular materials for architecture and fashion. Examples include self-healing textiles or construction materials that convert CO2 into oxygen. This approach reflects her broader vision that AI should not replace natural processes but act as a complementary force.

The future of work: how to stay relevant

“AI is not only transforming how we work but also reshaping why we work. As tasks become automated, the demand for human creativity and collaboration grows. The future of work calls for leaders to shift their focus beyond efficiency and prioritize resilience. How can we support employees in acquiring new skills? How can we ensure that humans and machines work together in ways that enhance humanity rather than replace it?”

Lisanne offers practical strategies and real-world examples to answer these questions. Her talks encourage reflection, participation and action, making them engaging, insightful, and inspiring for her audiences.

From inspiration to action

In her keynotes, boardroom sessions, webinars and workshops, Lisanne transforms complex insights into inspiring future scenarios and practical tools. Whether discussing ethical dilemmas, the evolving nature of work, the rapid progression of AI, AI’s contribution to sustainability, or crafting an effective AI strategy, Lisanne equips her audiences with clear perspectives and actionable steps to navigate uncertainty with confidence.