How does a technology company that works with AI shift to integrating it in every team and every process? Tessa Pfattheicher, Director of AI Transformation at iteratec, is in charge of this task. She is shaping the transformation so that AI becomes an integral part of day-to-day work. In this interview, she explains why AI transformation is not a technical project, how humans and machines will collaborate seamlessly, and what this means for iteratec and our clients.
Why is iteratec pursuing an AI transformation? Isn’t it enough to ‘simply use AI’?
AI is not an IT project or a tool that you simply buy. Anyone who takes that approach will quickly end up with gimmicks or siloed solutions. AI is transforming everything we have taken for granted. It is changing the way we work, develop and make decisions. That is why it takes more than just technology: it requires a holistic transformation that considers technology, organisation, culture and business model as a unified whole. This is precisely the path we are taking. We want to demonstrate first-hand how genuine change works, within our own teams and alongside our colleagues.
So what is the aim of iteratec’s AI transformation?
Many companies have the strategic will to use AI, yet the actual implementation remains unclear. We’re bridging this gap and demonstrating, through our own example, how collaboration between humans and machines can work sustainably for the future. Our knowledge also feeds into our client projects. You receive solutions that work in practice – from an organisation that is itself undergoing this transformation. For us internally, this means: we are turning iteratec into a company where people and AI work hand in hand.
What exactly does it mean for humans and AI to work hand in hand?
We operate according to a principle we have developed ourselves, which we have termed ‘human-led, agent-operated’. It means that humans remain in the driving seat. Humans lead, set goals and make decisions. AI agents take on tasks that are repetitive, data-intensive or time-consuming. When AI takes over the routine tasks, it creates space for what makes humans unique: creativity, empathy and judgement. This gives rise to human-agent teams, in which human creativity and responsibility merge with machine-like speed and precision.
💡You can read about the comprehensive adoption of agents within our company and how it has evolved in Tessa’s case study.
Why does iteratec place such a strong emphasis on collaboration between humans and machines?
We are convinced that only those companies that consider people, machines and methods as a unified whole will succeed. Purely technological projects come to nothing if the organisation and its people are not brought on board, and if AI use cases are not integrated into processes and working practices. We also see among our clients that success arises where technology, culture and methodology work together.
iteratec is regarded as people-centred. How is this DNA preserved?
‘Human-led, agent-operated’ is our guiding principle, helping us to balance technological possibilities with cultural responsibility. It means assessing every step of the transformation against whether it strengthens or weakens our culture. It also means that we integrate AI into teams and processes to foster innovation, develop exciting projects and create space for human interaction. We do not use AI to replace people. People remain the driving force. To ensure this remains the case, we have established fixed reflection and feedback processes to enable us to learn and adapt continuously.
Are there already examples at iteratec of how AI is changing internal processes?
AI has long been part of our day-to-day work. For example, we’ve automated invoicing and are already 30 per cent faster. Our project teams also work with AI agents. At the same time, we’re working on an agent marketplace – an internal platform where our colleagues can share agents and their experiences. This allows us to share our progress in working with AI, ensuring that we learn from one another and empower each other more quickly.
💡Find out exactly how our multi-agent invoicing system works in our Champion Story.
What will change from the customer’s perspective?
Our clients feel that they are working with a partner who knows from first-hand experience how transformation works – this builds trust and fosters a genuine partnership. Furthermore, projects will run more quickly and efficiently and will be clearly focused on delivering business value. They can see the difference in the way we, as Human-Agent teams, deliver results. The result: less risk, greater impact and partners on an equal footing.
What will iteratec look like in 2030?
By then, we hope to be very proud that we have demonstrated that AI can empower people. People and AI will form a well-coordinated team within a ‘human-agent’ organisation, where complex projects are delivered more efficiently, innovatively and with greater impact. Our culture will not have disappeared, but will have been strengthened – with more scope for creativity, responsibility and collaboration.
Do you have any questions or need support with your own AI transformation?
You can find further information about our AI transformation and the opportunities AI offers your business on our website. Get in touch with us now.