Alex de Vries
Alex de Vries is a PhD candidate at the VU Amsterdam with the Institute for Environmental Studies and the founder of Digiconomist, a research and consultancy firm dedicated to uncovering the unintended consequences of digital trends.
His research focuses on the environmental impact of emerging technologies and has played a significant role in the global discussion on the sustainability of blockchain technology and artificial intelligence (AI). His publications are frequently cited in (inter)national media such as the New York Times, BBC, and CNN. In addition, his work is used by (public) institutions and governments, including the International Energy Agency, the European Parliament, and the White House.
Alex previously worked at the Experience Center (EC) of PwC, one of the Big Four management consultancy firms. The purpose of the EC is to help clients lay the foundation for digital transformation through agility, the lean-start-up method, and design thinking. The end user experience is always kept at the heart of this process. As part of the Emerging Technologies team, Alex focused on researching (and experimenting with) digital developments such as AI and incorporating these into the transformation processes of various clients. Although Alex is enthusiastic about the possibilities that new technologies can offer, he also promotes the philosophy that you should always start with the customer experience and work backward to the technology.
Alex regularly speaks at international conferences and events such as CeBIT, VivaTech, and GITEX on emerging technologies and their societal impact. For example, he explains what the ecological footprint of digital applications entails, how to calculate it, and how an organization can responsibly handle new technology. His lectures provide realistic expectations regarding these technologies and inspire his audience to innovate in a sustainable manner.
Presentation: Building a sustainable Web3 op de Sustainable Blockchain Summit (Paris, 23 July 2023)