Thomas Damen
Speaker, Entrepreneur & AI Thinker on AI and the Future of Work. What if AI changes not only what we do, but also how we think? Combining technology, philosophy, and humor, Thomas Damen challenges us to think critically, question our assumptions, and above all, preserve what makes us human.
Biography
Timeless thinking for an artificial age.
Entrepreneur and AI thinker Thomas Damen takes his audience beyond the hype of the day. Blending technology, philosophy, history, and humor, he explores how AI challenges us to rethink creativity, independent thinking, and the human side of progress.
- AI can do more than ever. But what do we, as humans, still want to be able to do for ourselves?
- The biggest change brought about by AI may not be what machines learn, but what humans risk unlearning.
- Forget the latest tools and models for a moment. Discover how we can use AI to unlock more of our human potential.
Thomas Damen sparks a conversation that is just as relevant to executives, leadership teams, and employees as the technology itself.
Technology Is Changing the World. But Do We Understand What It Is Changing About Us?
Thomas Damen is an entrepreneur, AI thinker, and speaker who explores the relationship between technology and human thought. For more than twelve years, he has been building businesses across a range of industries, including sports, sustainability, and software. As the former COO of AI startup TwoFeetUp, he has experienced firsthand both the possibilities and the challenges of artificial intelligence.
That hands-on experience shapes his distinctive perspective on AI. While much of the conversation revolves around efficiency, automation, and returns on investment, Thomas asks a more fundamental question:
What happens to us when we increasingly outsource our work, thinking, and creativity to technology?
His curiosity extends far beyond algorithms and language models. Thomas combines his entrepreneurial experience with insights from philosophy and history. From the Stoics and the invention of the printing press to Silicon Valley and ChatGPT, he shows how technological revolutions not only create new possibilities but also force us to reconsider what it means to be human.
Thomas is not against AI. Quite the opposite. He sees how artificial intelligence can stimulate our imagination, open up new perspectives, and help us solve problems that once seemed beyond our reach. At the same time, he cautions against how easily we can surrender our own judgment and thinking skills to technology.
That tension is precisely where Thomas excels. As an entrepreneur, he focuses on what works and what creates value. As a thinker, he is willing to challenge established assumptions and conventional wisdom.
With humor, relatable examples, and thought-provoking insights, Thomas makes complex issues accessible. Rather than prescribing answers, he asks the questions that stay with his audience long after the event and spark meaningful conversations.
His conviction? The future is not just about what AI can do for us, but above all, what we choose to do with it.
Employability
Speaker
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What Sets Thomas Damen Apart as an AI Speaker?
Understanding AI is one thing. Understanding what AI is doing to us is another.
Most conversations about artificial intelligence focus on what technology makes possible. How can we work faster? Which processes can we automate? And how can we generate greater returns from new technology?
Thomas Damen asks a different question: What happens to our creativity, critical thinking, and ability to make independent decisions when AI increasingly does the work for us?
From Technology to Human Potential
Thomas looks beyond the latest developments and applications. He explores how we can use AI to strengthen the very qualities that make us human. Rather than blindly embracing or rejecting technology, he challenges us to think carefully about when AI helps us move forward—and when we need to rely on our own abilities.
A Surprising Blend of Entrepreneurship and Philosophy
Thomas combines the practical realities of AI with insights from history and philosophy. The result is a perspective that goes beyond conventional technology trends. He makes big ideas accessible and translates them into questions that matter to organizations, leaders, and professionals.
Critical Without Being Pessimistic
Thomas is neither an AI doomsayer nor an unquestioning evangelist for artificial intelligence. He recognizes AI’s enormous potential while taking its possible consequences seriously. This balanced perspective resonates with audiences where enthusiasm, curiosity, and uncertainty often coexist.
Inspiring and Practically Relevant
Thomas’s keynote is not a demonstration of the latest AI tools. It is an invitation to engage with technology more thoughtfully. His talks encourage reflection, spark meaningful conversations, and help organizations consider the role of human judgment, creativity, and responsibility in an increasingly automated world.
His guiding principle is simple: use AI to move forward, but never thoughtlessly surrender what makes us valuable as human beings.
Thomas Damen’s Speaking and Training Programs:
1. Keynote: Who Are We When Everything Can Be Prompted?
A thought-provoking keynote exploring how AI is changing the way we think, create, and work.
Thomas takes his audience on a journey through technology, philosophy, and history. He examines what happens when writing, thinking, and decision-making become increasingly easy to outsource. At the same time, he shows how we can use AI to stimulate our own creativity and ingenuity.
Key topics of Thomas Damen include:
- AI and the future of human thinking.
- Creativity, critical thinking, and independent judgment.
- The impact of AI on work and collaboration.
- The opportunities and risks of outsourcing our thinking.
- Preserving the human touch in an increasingly automated world.
Format: 60–90 minutes, followed by 15–30 minutes of Q&A. Available in Dutch and English.
Each keynote is tailored to the audience and the context of the event.
2. AI Training for Teams
In addition to his keynotes, Thomas helps teams learn to use AI thoughtfully and effectively in their daily work.
Participants work through practical exercises and learn how to use AI without losing sight of their own creativity, attention, and judgment. Each program is tailored to the organization’s objectives, working environment, and specific needs.
3. Personalized AI Coaching for Leaders
For leaders and professionals who want to explore the subject in greater depth, Thomas also offers one-on-one coaching. He combines strategic thinking with a personalized AI setup tailored to each participant’s role, responsibilities, and day-to-day work.
Book Thomas Damen Through Assemblee Speakers
How can you harness the power of AI without losing the human qualities that drive your organization forward?
With his distinctive perspective on artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, and human thinking, Thomas Damen offers an inspiring take on one of the most important developments of our time.
His talks are ideal for organizations that want to look beyond the latest technology and challenge their audiences to think more deeply about the future of work, leadership, and human creativity.
Are you curious about what Thomas Damen can bring to your next event?
Contact Assemblee Speakers to discuss the possibilities and find the right format for your audience.