DTA Kickoff Event: "AI says I look good... Data agrees!"

An evening to remember: the Data Transformer Awards Kick-Off was a great success and sets the stage for an exciting journey towards the main event on November 13.

Last Thursday, the pink carpet was rolled out at the iconic REM Eiland in Amsterdam. After a welcome drink, a fun photo moment at the Cognizant Photo Booth, and inspiring conversations, we kicked off the official program.

Cognizant and Newpeople took the stage as founding partners, introducing the concept behind the Data Transformer Awards and welcoming former winners Paskal van Lomm and Anouk Beeren. They shared their experiences with the awards, the successes that followed, and what winning in 2019 has meant for them both personally and professionally.

“We’re thrilled to relaunch the Data Transformer Awards in 2025 with a renewed focus on data and AI,” said Gijs Leeksma, Director of Marketing at Cognizant. “This platform is about more than recognition—it’s about building a community of innovators who are shaping the future of business through data-driven transformation.”

Dolf Kos, CEO at Newpeople, added: “The DTA program is a celebration of courage, creativity, and collaboration. We’re excited to spotlight the individuals who are not just using data but transforming it into meaningful outcomes for society and industry.”

Next up was a captivating presentation by Team Epoch from TU Delft, who shared their unique and innovative approach to both national and international AI competitions. Their work centers on using AI to tackle humanitarian and ecological challenges, from developing advanced AI models to designing impactful solutions that blend technology with creativity.

And just when we thought the evening couldn’t get more thought-provoking, Henk Volberda took the stage to explore a pressing topic: The Future of Work – Will robotics and AI take over human labor?

The evening continued with delicious food and plenty of time to connect, reflect, and dive deeper into the themes of the night.

We see this kick-off as a strong and inspiring start, with exciting months ahead. The nominations are now open, leading up to the grand reveal of the 2025 winners on November 13. Who do you think deserves to win the Data Transformer Awards 2025?