Beyond the Tech: How Humans Turn AI Into Business Value through Digital Transformation
with Christine Szczepanski, Aya Shimada
Many organizations are investing in AI, but technology alone does not create transformation. Real business value comes from translating strategy into operations, designing the right roles for humans and AI, and building teams that can put both to work effectively.
In this seminar, Christine Szczepanski, managing director at Hachi Connect, will introduce a diving-inspired AI readiness framework, explaining why companies get stuck in pilot mode and how to translate AI strategy into workflows and operations.
She will be joined by Aya Shimada, founder at CULTURELABS, who will present a “Human-AI Coevolution” model, exploring how humans and AI can divide responsibilities—and why human judgment, tacit knowledge, creativity, and collaboration remain essential sources of differentiation.
Together, they will examine effective human-AI collaboration and the practical steps companies can take to move from AI deployment to sustainable business value.
This is a practical session designed for DX leaders, managers, and aspiring executives exploring practical ways to turn AI deployment into real business value.
At this seminar, you will:
– Understand why AI initiatives remain stuck in pilot mode
– Learn how operating models and workflows support implementation
– Explore how responsibilities can be divided between humans and AI
– Consider what coevolving human-AI teams could look like in Japan
– Gain practical ideas for turning AI investment into business value
Overview
| Date: | Friday, August 7, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Time: | 12:30 - 13:30 (Central European Summer Time) |
| Where: | Hybrid (In-person & Online) |
| Registration Fee: | Free of charge |
| Language: | English |
Agenda
| 12:00 (CEST) | Reception Time |
|---|---|
| 12:30 (CEST) | Event Start |
| 12:35 (CEST) | Keynote Presentation |
| 12:50 (CEST) | Panel |
| 13:15 (CEST) | Q&A with the audience |
| 13:35 (CEST) | End of session / Networking |
CEO Hachi Connect GmbH
Christine Szczepanski
Christine Szczepanski is the Founder and CEO of Hachi Connect GmbH, a boutique AI strategy and digital transformation consultancy based in Switzerland. She helps global SMEs and Japanese firms navigate AI adoption, and technology modernization, with a focus on ensuring people, not just processes, remain central to transformation.
Christine brings over 15+ years of Fortune Global 500 program delivery experience and holds an MAS from ETH Zürich, an MIT Data Science certificate, and an MBA from GLOBIS University. She is fluent in English and Filipino, business level in Japanese and conversational in German.
Based in Switzerland, she also founded Zug Tech Circle, a community of changemakers running events and workshops on AI and deep tech. Along with these 2 ventures, she is a board member of ETH Entrepreneur Alumni club and other NGOs.
During her spare time, she likes walking into the forest and the mountains. She also likes the water and is a certifies advanced scuba diver.
Aya Shimada
Aya Shimada is the Founder of CULTURELABS, where she applies diversity and inclusion principles to the challenges of business innovation and organizational transformation.
Her work spans cloud technology, AI-driven business models, digital business strategy, organizational change management, innovation, and the long-term adaptation of established companies. She supports organizations in applying Agile and Design Thinking approaches, with an emphasis on autonomous, self-organized, empathetic, and cross-functional teams.
