All questions

Responsible AI refers to the design, development and application of AI systems in an ethical, fair and safe manner. Developers and users must ensure that AI systems align with human values, respect fundamental rights and promote societal well-being. The EU AI Act also embeds responsible AI principles in legislation, such as privacy, non-discrimination and transparency. To implement AI responsibly, employees who work with AI must also have adequate knowledge, known as “AI literacy”. They need to be aware of both the opportunities and risks of AI.

Responsible AI is therefore a broad concept, and we deliberately interpret “responsible” broadly: AI with an eye for people and society. What does this mean in practice? We develop useful AI with a focus on privacy, data security, sustainability, ethics and explainability. Together with you, we determine what the AI should do to support you as good as possible, with the principle that the AI is useful and controllable. Additionally, we enthusiastically involve users in workshops and presentations to increase AI literacy. Our commitment to responsibility is also refelcted in our working methods: we communicate clearly, honestly and transparently.

Digital autonomy focuses on an organisation’s ability to maintain control over its own data and systems (sovereignty) and to be free to make its own technological choices. American Big Tech is moving in the opposite direction: they push organisations into what’s known as ‘vendor lock-in’, where your data, systems, infrastructure and services become so deeply tied to a single tech provider that leaving becomes nearly impossible. Lock-in comes with various risks, such as sudden price increases that you cannot avoid, geopolitical dependencies, changing terms and incompatibility with other systems.

At Glazen Uil (Glass Owl), we therefore focus on European solutions that intelligently support your business and integrate well within your current IT landscape, without lock-in effects. This way, you can take advantage of the opportunities offered by digitisation and AI while reducing risks. This makes your organisation smarter, more resilient, more agile and more aligned with European public values. Sensitive company data remains secure without leaking to Big Tech, costs remain manageable, and you keep control.

We often receive positive reactions to the name “Glass Owl” (Glazen Uil in Dutch). Naturally, the next question is always, “Where does that name come from?” Here’s the reasoning: The owl has been a symbol of wisdom and intelligence for centuries. For us, the owl represents our knowledge, experience, and the artificial intelligence we develop. The word “Glass” (Glazen in Dutch) emphasises our transparent approach. Whether it’s our digital solutions, clear communication, or responsible choices: we believe in transparency. This means plain language, independent systems and explainable AI as much as possible. Hence, “Glazen Uil (Glass Owl)” stands for smart technology you can understand and build upon.

In a market where AI consulting often revolves around buzzwords, we prioritise in-depth expertise and positive impact. For us, good consulting goes beyond advice: it means inspiring people, brainstorming together, sharing knowledge and developing digital solutions when needed.

What distinguishes us is our combination of deep technical expertise and a human-centered, value-driven approach. Our team consists of motivated professionals with PhDs or master’s degrees who not only understand the theory but also bring years of hands-on experience in building AI and IT systems. Over those years, we’ve seen the consulting industry frequently default to recommending standard American Big Tech solutions, often with little regard for privacy or ethics.

We show that there’s another way: with transparent, innovative and European solutions tailored to your needs and workflow. People often tell us that our enthusiasm is inspiring: not just because we’re passionate about what we do, but also because we value your ambitions as highly as our own. With our proactive and personal approach, we keep things lighthearted while taking pragmatic steps forward. Together, we create a positive impact: working smarter while helping you retain your autonomy, standards and values.

We love critical questions like this! In fact, we ask you the same thing when we meet: “Is AI truly the solution here, or is there a smarter way without it?” Because yes, AI is hot and can do incredible things, but sometimes a complex AI system isn’t necessary at all. I mean, you wouldn’t take a fighter jet to go the supermarket, would you?

We’re aware of the hype but don’t follow it blindly. We step out of the bubble and first look at your goal, then choose the tool that fits. For example, one company asked for complex AI, but a simple data integration turned out to be a cheaper and equally effective solution! Or sometimes, a simpler, transparent algorithm is even better than black-box AI: cheaper, faster, controllable and adaptable.

If we conclude together that your goal does require advanced AI, of course we’re eager to get to work! Even then, we’ll first help you choose from the many AI models available. Together, we’ll weigh the right trade-offs between factors like speed, transparency, costs, sustainability, interoperability and accuracy.

This way, you’ll always know afterwards that you’ve chosen the best fit for you, not just the latest trend.

The EU AI Act is European legislation governing the development and use of AI systems, based on different risk levels. The influence and impact of the EU AI Act therefore depends on the chosen application: high-risk applications must meet stricter requirements than low-risk AI systems.

We’d be happy to explain what the EU AI Act means for your situation in a presentation or workshop, thereby increasing knowledge and awareness among your employees. While we do not provide legal audits, our expertise in the EU AI Act ensures that the AI we advise on and develop is fully aligned with it. We specifically focus on AI that is privacy-friendly, controllable, ethically responsible and explainable.

Responsible AI and digitalisation require knowledge of and compliance with European regulations. The most relevant laws and regulations in this area are:

• EU AI Act: Regulates the use of AI based on risk levels.
• GDPR: Protects privacy and personal data.
• NIS2: Strengthens cybersecurity requirements for organisations.

We are well-versed in these regulations and can translate what they specifically mean for your situation. While we do not perform formal legal audits, our advice and developed solutions will align with applicable regulations. Additionally, we focus on improving digital literacy and ownership among employees through engaging presentations or training sessions.

Of course! We fully understand that as an organisation, you can’t just overhaul your existing IT landscape overnight. After all, your daily operations must continue! If you have a new application or system in mind, we’ll advise you on suitable European solutions that integrate smoothly with your current workflows and systems. We’ll explore what’s available on the market or develop a custom solution for you. So it’s not an all-or-nothing choice: a hybrid or modular approach is the logical next step.

We can also analyse your current IT landscape and map out how we can improve your processes to make them better, safer, smarter, or more responsible. We focus on the low-hanging fruit here, because even small steps can make a huge difference!

We work with organisations of all sizes and sectors. For example:

• SMEs, such as manufacturing companies with 15+ employees, mid-sized businesses, or specialised service providers.
• Large companies, such as national market leaders, multinationals, or established family businesses.
• (Semi-)governmental organisations, such as municipalities, provinces, water authorities and ministries.
• Social or semi-public organisations, such as healthcare institutions, housing corporations, libraries and educational institutions.

Any organisation that wants to implement AI or digitalisation responsibly can count on our support. Our approach is always personal and tailored-made, so we can align with the needs, opportunities and challenges of your organisation.