The biggest AI challenge isn't technology. It's mindset

The biggest AI challenge isn't technology. It's mindset.

TechWolf has become one of Belgium's leading AI companies. But according to co-founder Jeroen Van Hautte, becoming AI-first wasn't about buying the latest tools or announcing a major transformation. It was about culture, leadership and helping people embrace change one step at a time. At the AI Summer School this September, Van Hautte will explain how TechWolf transformed itself internally, and why many companies are making AI much harder than it needs to be.  

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TechWolf is widely seen as one of Belgium's AI frontrunners. What made that possible?

Jeroen Van Hautte: “I think there are two main reasons. First, we've always invested heavily in a culture where people see change as an opportunity rather than a threat. We deliberately hire people who enjoy learning and adapting.”

“Second, we've made AI adoption a leadership priority. I've personally spent an enormous amount of time understanding the technology and I expect our leaders to stay ahead as well. AI isn't something you delegate, it has to become part of how the company operates.”

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Many scale-ups are struggling with AI transformation. What are they getting wrong?

Van Hautte: “A common mistake is trying to transform everyone at once. Companies launch organisation-wide initiatives, but because they're trying to change everything simultaneously, they often end up changing very little. People become overwhelmed, costs increase and scepticism grows.”

“We're much more deliberate. Start with a few focused successes, prove the value and let the momentum spread naturally. AI transformation is a journey, not a revolution.”

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So where should companies start?

Van Hautte: “Start with the people who genuinely want to experiment. We began with a small group of enthusiastic employees who were already exploring AI in their own time. We invested in a two-day bootcamp, gave them the tools to keep learning and let them become ambassadors inside the organisation.”

“Once people started seeing real success stories from colleagues they trusted, the rest of the company wanted to join. Suddenly, the challenge wasn't convincing people anymore, it was keeping up with the demand.”

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Should larger companies create separate AI teams?

Van Hautte: “Temporarily, yes. Permanently, no. A dedicated team can help build momentum and develop new ways of working. But if that team stays isolated for too long, you risk creating two companies inside one organisation.”

“The real value comes from bringing those learnings back into every team. AI shouldn't become a separate department. It should become part of everyone's job.”

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What's the biggest lesson you've learned from your own transformation?

Van Hautte: “Technology isn't the hardest part. People are. If you create the right mindset, people take ownership of their own learning and the transformation accelerates naturally. If you lose that mindset, even the best AI tools won't help.”

“At the end of the day, AI transformation is much more about culture than technology.”

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Are initiatives like the AI Summer School valuable?

Van Hautte: “Absolutely! Even for us, it's difficult to stay on top of everything that's happening. The technology changes incredibly fast, and there isn't a playbook yet. Most companies are facing the same questions, but very few have all the answers.”

“That's why learning from other founders is so valuable. AI transformation isn't rocket science, unless you start in the wrong place. Sharing experiences and building a community around those lessons is probably the fastest way forward.”

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AI Summer School takes place from 9–11 September in Ostend and brings together a select group of founders and senior leaders to explore how AI is reshaping organisations, teams and business models. Jeroen Van Hautte will share how TechWolf successfully embedded AI across the organisation and what other scale-ups can learn from that journey.

👉 Interested? Check https://www.scaleupflanders.com/services/ai-summer-school-2026

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