1. Introduction
Welcome to another episode of “The Impact of AI Explore”! We’re James O’Regan and Gerjon Kunst, passionate about uncovering real-world stories behind AI’s evolution. This episode, we sat down with Femke Cornelissen, Chief Copilot at Wortell, to dive deep into the power and groundedness of AI in today’s organizations. Together, we explored what it really means to put humans at the heart of technology, and why it truly matters right now.
You can watch the episode here:
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZP631uYqfQ
Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2317233/episodes/17954831
Or your favorite streaming platform.
2. Meet the Guest
Femke Cornelissen is Chief Copilot at Wortell, a leading Microsoft partner in the Netherlands. She’s recognized as a three-time Microsoft MVP, founder of Dutch Women in Tech, and an inspiring voice for workplace AI and inclusivity across Europe. With a career that started in marketing, Femke broke new ground by creating one of the first Chief Copilot roles worldwide, championing the adoption of Microsoft 365 Copilot and Power Platform solutions. She’s also the author of “Ontdek de kracht van Copilot Prompts,” an e-book sharing practical insights for optimized productivity. Femke’s energetic leadership supports women in tech, cybersecurity, and drives real progress both within organizations and broader communities.
3. Setting the Stage
The AI landscape is changing faster than ever. From autonomous agents to voice-enabled interfaces, the drive to humanize digital experiences is no longer optional—it’s urgent. We’re constantly sensing a “culture shift”: it’s not about whether you’ll use AI, but how intentionally you’ll leverage its power. In today’s conversation, we press pause on the hype and examine what real groundedness in AI means for businesses, families, and the path forward.
Expect candid stories, practical strategies, and actionable examples for anyone hoping to thrive—not just survive—in the age of intelligent automation.
4. Episode Highlights
- Claiming the Chief Copilot Role: Femke shares how she crafted her unique title—by simply claiming it and owning her vision across Wortell, inspiring us all to trust our ideas and make them real.
- “I just put it there by myself and now everyone accepted it. That’s a way how you can do it!” (Femke)
- Human in the Loop: From tech mishaps to supporting DreamSpace, the team underscores why kids—and adults—need balanced tech and human experiences.
- “Bring back a little bit human in the loop stuff is important… especially having the conversation with children.” (Femke)
5. Deep Dive: Groundedness in AI—Why It Matters
Femke identifies “groundedness” as the critical bridge between success with AI and simple automation. Many organizations chase efficiency, but miss the opportunity to use freed-up time for creativity, well-being, and genuine purpose. She points out that moving toward agentic workplaces is the next big transformation: soon, teams will collaborate with multiple agents, not just one. The path to true AI adoption, Femke argues, starts with vision, roadmap, security, and involving all stakeholders—including HR.
“Everyone wants to do something with [AI], but what is the best way to start?… This is like one of the biggest shifts I think that we’re going to see.”
She also explores misconceptions, emphasizing that Copilot and similar tools are tools, not instant solutions. Training, adaptation, and intentional prompting are essential for real value.
6. Real-Life Stories & Examples
- Femke describes how sessions at Wortell bring organizations together to ideate, pitch, and develop AI use cases collaboratively—resulting in agent-driven solutions that win funding and drive change across teams.
- She shares how children outpace adults in tech learning, and why creating safe, engaging digital environments matters.
Practical tip: Try Copilot Lab—no license required! Test out agent integrations in meetings, Teams, even OneDrive for creative workflows.
7. Key Takeaways
- Don’t wait for AI—shape your roadmap and get everyone (including HR) involved.
- The biggest value lies in freeing up time for creative, meaningful work, not just doing “more.”
- Agentic workplaces (where multiple agents work alongside humans) are the next frontier.
- Copilot and AI tools must be guided—prompting matters, and so does accountability.
- Community-driven ideation helps overcome fear of automation.
- Encourage tech fluency in children, but balance it with real-world experiences.
- Progress in AI should be inclusive: diversity and empathy matter as much as innovation.
8. Closing Thoughts
As hosts, we’re inspired by Femke’s perspective. The role of Chief Copilot is evolving, and so is the workplace. Next year will bring new agents, new challenges, and surely more humble pies for our predictions! If you learned something today, join us in the conversation—let’s steer AI’s impact toward not just smarter, but more human outcomes.
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