Keynote speaker · Workshops · Coaching

AI and digital transformation, from someone who builds it.

I'm Roman Thommen: CTO at Qubic, former teacher and technologist with more than 20 years of experience. I help organisations, leaders and teams understand what AI really changes, and how to make it work in practice.

Roman Thommen
  • CTOat Qubic
  • 20+years in technology
  • Teachervocational & higher education, Zug
  • EN · DEtalks in English and German

Why Roman

Practice, not theory.

  1. 01

    Practitioner, not observer

    I use AI agents every day to build and run real systems. You get experience from the field, not slides recycled from other slides.

  2. 02

    A teacher's clarity

    Years in the classroom taught me to explain complex topics so that everyone in the room takes something home, from the board to the apprentices.

  3. 03

    Tailored, not off the shelf

    Every talk and workshop is adapted to your audience, industry and goals. In English or German, on stage or remote.

Topics

Talks & workshops

Five topics, each available as a keynote and most as a hands-on workshop. Every session is tailored to your audience. Something else in mind? Just ask.

01

AI Transformation: From Hype to Everyday Work

What really changes when AI joins the team, and how to start without getting lost.

  • Keynote
  • Workshop
For
Executives, management teams, boards, SME owners

Every organisation is “doing something with AI”. Very few have a plan. This talk cuts through the headlines and goes to the reality of daily work: what large language models and AI agents actually do well today, where they fail, and how organisations move from scattered experiments to real productivity.

Roman brings examples from his own work as a CTO, where AI agents are part of the daily engineering and operations routine. The audience leaves with a clear picture and a few concrete first steps.

Takeaways

  • A realistic picture of what today's AI can and cannot do in your organisation
  • Where to start: use cases that deliver fast, measurable value
  • Data, security and governance, without paralysis
  • Why AI transformation is a leadership task, not an IT project

Keynote 30–60 min · Workshop half or full day

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02

Working with AI Agents: A Field Report from a CTO's Desk

Software, operations and analysis with AI agents: what works, what doesn't, and what it means for teams.

  • Keynote
  • Workshop
For
Tech leaders, software teams, IT departments, innovation teams

AI agents no longer just answer questions. They write and test code, analyse data and operate infrastructure. Roman works with agents every day across software development, infrastructure and research. This talk is an honest field report with real examples, real failures, and the working patterns that made the difference.

Where the setting allows, the talk includes live demonstrations. As a workshop, teams set up and try their own agent workflows.

Takeaways

  • Real examples of agent-based workflows in development and operations
  • How roles shift: from writing code to directing, reviewing and verifying
  • Guardrails for quality, security and trust that make agents productive
  • The skills your team needs to build now

Keynote 30–60 min · Hands-on workshop half or full day

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03

Digital Transformation Is a People Project

Why technology is the easy part, and how to bring people along.

  • Keynote
  • Workshop
  • Coaching
For
Leadership, HR, project and change managers, public sector

Roman has led transformation projects ranging from file-based production at radio and TV to planning tools for major sporting events and the reorganisation of IT apprenticeships. In almost none of them was the technology the real problem.

This talk is about what separates transformation on paper from transformation in practice: people, culture and leadership. It is practical and honest, and includes the mistakes that taught the most.

Takeaways

  • The typical reasons transformation projects stall, and the early warning signs
  • Leading change: communication, ownership and early wins
  • Agile without dogma: methods that fit your culture
  • Building teams that keep learning

Keynote 30–45 min · Workshop half day · Coaching on request

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04

Decentralised AI: What Blockchain and Useful Proof-of-Work Teach Us

Inside Qubic: when the computing power of a global network trains artificial intelligence.

  • Keynote
  • Lecture
  • Panel
For
Tech and innovation audiences, finance, universities, conferences

Classic proof-of-work blockchains spend enormous computing power just to secure their network. Qubic puts that power to work training artificial intelligence. As one of Qubic’s CTOs, Roman works on the technology behind a global network run by independent operators around the world.

He explains how decentralised systems actually work, what “Useful Proof-of-Work” means, and why the question of who controls AI may become one of the defining questions of our time.

Takeaways

  • Blockchain beyond the hype, explained without jargon
  • Useful Proof-of-Work: turning mining power into AI research
  • Decentralised governance in practice: how a global network makes decisions
  • Opportunities and risks of open, decentralised AI

Keynote 30–60 min · Guest lecture 45–90 min

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05

Learning in the Age of AI

What schools, vocational training and companies need to change, from someone who has stood in front of the class.

  • Keynote
  • Workshop
  • Lecture
For
Schools, universities, vocational educators, HR and L&D

Roman taught at the Gewerbeschule (vocational school) and the Höhere Fachschule (college of higher education) in Zug, so he knows the classroom as well as the boardroom. This talk is for educators and for everyone responsible for training: how AI is already changing learning, why bans don’t work, and how schools and companies can make AI a learning partner rather than a shortcut.

Takeaways

  • How AI changes learning, assessment and the role of teachers
  • Practical and responsible ways to use AI in lessons and training
  • Which skills matter more now, and which matter less
  • A pragmatic framework for schools and L&D teams

Keynote 30–45 min · Workshop for teaching staff half day

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Formats

How we can work together

  • Keynotes

    20–60 minutes

    Inspiring and concrete talks for conferences, company events, kick-offs and customer events.

  • Workshops

    Half or full day

    Hands-on sessions with your team: from finding the right use cases to first working prototypes.

  • Coaching & sparring

    1:1 or leadership team

    Strategic sparring for executives on AI and digital transformation, one-off or ongoing.

  • Teaching & lectures

    Schools, universities, companies

    Guest lectures, courses and training programmes, built on years of teaching experience.

Also available as a panellist or moderator for discussions on AI, technology and the future of work.

About

Roman Thommen

I am one of the CTOs at Qubic, a decentralised network whose computing power trains artificial intelligence. I help shape its technical architecture and work with AI agents every day, in software development, infrastructure and research.

Before that I spent many years as a software architect and project lead, and founded several companies along the way. I led projects in media technology, from file-based production for radio and TV to planning tools for major sporting events, and helped organisations set the strategic direction of their software development and IT training.

I taught at the Gewerbeschule and the Höhere Fachschule in Zug. Teaching shaped how I communicate: technically deep, but always clear and practical.

«I love the challenge of discovering new things and developing solutions pragmatically and, above all, with a clear goal.»

Booking

From first message to stage

  1. 1

    Get in touch

    A short message with date, audience and what you want to achieve.

  2. 2

    Intro call

    20–30 minutes to understand your audience, goals and setting.

  3. 3

    Tailored content

    Talk or workshop adapted to your industry, level and language.

  4. 4

    Delivery & follow-up

    On stage or remote, with slides and resources for your audience afterwards.

Contact

Let's talk about your event

Tell me a little about your event or project. I'll get back to you personally, usually within two working days.

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