Laurens van Wesep

Keynote speaker about AI | talks about AI and social impact, builds AI-communities and implements AI with Optimorrow

Rotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands

About

Almost every AI conversation starts the same way: a lot of curiosity, a lot of questions, and just as much doubt. That tension is what I find interesting. My name is Laurens van Wesep. I help organizations make AI understandable, usable and workable, not as a standalone tool, but as a natural part of how people work, collaborate and make decisions. Over the past years, I have spoken on a wide range of stages about AI, guided teams through their first AI steps, and built multiple local AI communities with 800+ professionals who learn, experiment and share knowledge together. From this movement, we also realized a large-scale AI conference and several local AI initiatives. Together with my team, we support organizations with: 🎤 AI keynotes and talks 🧠 Practical AI workshops and training 🧭 AI strategy and roadmaps ⚙️ Automation and optimization of work and communication processes with AI 🚀 Guidance on AI pilots and implementations 🤝 Community building and AI learning programs Always human-centered, practical and without hype. Because AI only truly works when people understand it and trust it. Curious to explore what this could mean for your organization? I would be happy to start the conversation.

Experience

  • Founder & keynote speaker at Optimorrow
    May 2025 - Present · 1 yr 3 mos

    AI that works for people. Today and tomorrow. At Optimorrow we help organizations work smarter, more human-centered and future-ready with AI. From strategy to implementation, we make artificial intelligence understandable, practical and impactful. No hype. Just hands-on guidance and creative solutions that truly work. We combine technology with empathy and data with action. Because to us, AI is not about tools, it is about people. We create solutions that accelerate processes, improve communication and create room for innovation, all without losing the human touch.

  • Founder of a curious AI community at AI070
    Jun 2025 - Present · 1 yr 2 mos

    After the success of AI010, I started an AI community in The Hague: AI070 Now at 100+ members (March 2026), multiple in-person events, and many great collaborations. Feel free to join the Whatsapp Community (check out the AI070 page for the link)

  • Founder of a curious AI community at AI010
    Sep 2024 - Present · 1 yr 11 mos

    A spontaneous idea that got out of hand: starting a community for AI enthusiasts. Now at 600+ members (March 2026), multiple in-person events, and many great collaborations. Feel free to join the Whatsapp Community (check out the AI010 page for the link)

  • AI Consultant & Keynote Speaker at Welva
    Dec 2013 - Present · 12 yrs 8 mos

    🔥 AI is transforming everything – and you can lead the way. AI isn’t the future; it’s happening NOW. Want to stay ahead and seize the opportunities? I help you and your organization embrace AI in a smart, responsible, and impactful way. No boring theory—just high-energy keynotes, hands-on workshops, and strategic advice that get you moving fast. 🚀 What to expect? My keynotes and training sessions are packed with humor, energy, and practical insights. I show you how AI can make your work easier, more creative, and more efficient—without needing to be a tech expert. Together, we make sure you and your team lead the way in the AI revolution. ✅ Understand AI and apply it immediately ✅ Make strategic and ethical AI decisions ✅ Build creative and impactful AI-driven campaigns ✅ Choose the right tools for your needs ✅ Stay ahead of the latest AI trends 📌 Who I work with? I’ve had the pleasure of helping organizations like Ronald McDonald House, KPN, Erasmus MC Foundation, Achmea, Jarige Job Foundation, and Oranje Fonds use AI to their advantage.

  • Awesome Foundation Rotterdam (10 yrs 10 mos)
    • Co-Owner | Moderator
      Oct 2015 - Present · 10 yrs 10 mos

      The Awesome Foundation is an ever-growing worldwide community devoted to forwarding the interest of awesome in the universe. Created in the long hot summer days of 2009 in Boston, the Foundation distributes €1,000 grants, no strings attached, to projects and their creators. At each fully autonomous chapter, the money is pooled together from the coffers of twenty self-organizing “micro-trustees” and given up front in cash, check, or gold doubloons.

    • Host of the Awesome Rotterdam Podcast
      Aug 2019 - Oct 2020 · 1 yr 3 mos

      The podcast about all the awesome things that are happening in Rotterdam. Peter Robbemond is my co-host of the shows. Check it out on Spotify and Apple Podcast.