Ivo and Sam, co-founders of Flowmatic, share their vision on the impact of artificial intelligence
In a world where artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly gaining ground, the way we work is also changing. Companies like Flowmatic play an important role in this. This Amsterdam-based company, founded by Ivo Dijks and Sam Goos, focuses on developing smart AI agents that help businesses make their operations more efficient and enjoyable. We spoke with Ivo and Sam about their motivations, their vision on AI, and the challenges they see in the market.
Flowmatic was founded after the rise of ChatGPT, when Ivo and Sam recognized the potential of AI to transform work. Their mission? To support businesses in using AI to automate repetitive tasks and focus more on creative and strategic work.
How did you start with Flowmatic?
Ivo: "After the launch of ChatGPT, we immediately saw the enormous possibilities that AI can offer, especially in the area of work processes. We didn’t just want to create something more efficient, but also something that makes work more enjoyable. Together, we decided to help businesses embrace this technology with Flowmatic."
Sam: "For me, the launch of ChatGPT was a real 'wow' moment. Although I never really bought into other technological hypes like crypto, I couldn't help but recognize the power of AI. With Flowmatic, we want to help businesses harness the benefits of AI without it feeling like people are being replaced."
AI is technology that enables machines to perform tasks that require human intelligence, such as learning and reasoning. Flowmatic leverages this technology to help businesses work more efficiently through smart agents.
Sam: "AI enables computers to take over human tasks, such as learning, reasoning, and problem-solving. You can think of it like a baby brain that develops through experience and training. The more data AI processes, the better it becomes at specific tasks."
For me, the launch of ChatGPT was a real 'wow' moment.
Ivo: "The great thing about AI is that it continuously learns and adapts. This allows it to become increasingly efficient at what it does, leading to huge benefits in work processes."
Many companies see the potential of AI but struggle with how to implement it. Flowmatic helps these companies by guiding them through the process, from identifying opportunities to developing AI solutions that truly add value.
What challenges do you see with clients when it comes to AI?
Ivo: "Many companies don't know where to start with AI. It often feels like a black box to them: they know AI offers possibilities, but the concrete plan is often lacking. We help them by creating an 'Agent Blueprint,' where we explain step by step how they can implement AI."
Sam: "Additionally, there is sometimes fear in the workplace that AI will take over jobs. We try to alleviate that fear by making it clear that AI is meant to support people in their work, not replace them."
While some people fear that AI will cost jobs, Ivo and Sam see opportunities to improve employment. By automating repetitive tasks, employees can focus on more challenging and valuable work.
Sam: "We see AI as a way to address the labor shortage. By taking over repetitive tasks, people can focus on work that adds more value and that they enjoy doing more."
Ivo: "There will be adjustments needed, such as retraining, to help people adapt to the new reality. But AI can absolutely have a positive impact on employment, especially if we use it to free people from tasks they don’t enjoy or that add little value." Just like with previous technological innovations, there are concerns about the safety of AI. Flowmatic recognizes the importance of security and privacy and is working on developing AI solutions that are safe and reliable.
How safe is AI, really?
Sam: "The concerns about AI are similar to the concerns people had when the cloud first emerged. It’s about how you use AI and what measures you take to keep it safe. It’s essential that we pay attention to data security from the very beginning."
Ivo: "Data security is something we are very aware of. That’s why we ensure that the AI systems we develop meet the highest standards in terms of security and privacy."
AI is expected to become an increasingly larger part of our society and business world. Flowmatic is already working on the future by developing AI agents that are not only efficient but can also communicate and collaborate with each other.
What does the future look like for AI?
Sam: "We expect that AI will become an increasingly important part of organizations. AI agents will communicate and collaborate with each other, leading to a whole new way of working, a true AI workforce."
Ivo: "The technology is far from fully developed. We are already working on exciting projects that will go live later this year. We see huge possibilities and look forward to exploring and realizing them further."
Companies interested in using AI should start small and scale gradually. Flowmatic advises first experimenting with AI solutions and slowly delegating more complex tasks to AI.
Ivo: "Our advice? Start small and build it up gradually. First, identify which tasks will benefit most from automation and work from there. Try to see AI as a tool that can improve your work, not something that has to change everything immediately."
Sam: "The most important thing is to stay curious and experiment. AI offers so many possibilities, but you need to be willing to play with it and discover what works best for your business."
AI will become an indispensable part of our daily lives and work in the coming years. It’s important to be aware of the risks, but also to take advantage of the opportunities that AI offers.
What do you want to share with the readers?
Ivo: "AI will be inseparably linked to our daily lives within a few years. It’s important to pay attention to digital security, but don't forget to enjoy the opportunities that AI offers."
We see AI as a way to address the labor shortage.
Sam: "Experiment with AI and discover how it can improve your work and life. And if you have any questions, we're always here to help!"
