19th of November, in collaboration with SEM Society, DM Union hosted an event titled AI & Startups at CBS Solbjerg Plads. With insightful talks, a practical focus on artificial intelligence, and a bit of Icelandic energy (quite literally), the evening brought students closer to understanding how AI is reshaping industries and what opportunities lie ahead.
Kim Rants and Alice.Tech: A Focus on AI in Action
Kim Rants, the co-founder and CEO of Alice.Tech, captured the room with a talk about his journey, the rapid advancements in AI, and what it all means for students today. Alice.Tech, a learning platform powered by AI, is a prime example of how technology can solve real-world problems in this case, simplifying study material and personalising learning experiences.
Kim shared valuable insights from his time at McKinsey, walking the audience through how a typical McKinsey project on AI might unfold and explaining how different types of organisations, from startups to large corporations, leverage generative AI in unique ways. His message to students was clear: now is the time to invest in understanding AI and exploring how it can be applied creatively in everyday life, whether for solving problems, optimising tasks, or building entirely new solutions.
“If you have the passion, focus on gaining a foundational understanding of computer science and get creative, companies will crave AI talent,” he encouraged. As he put it succinctly, “AI won’t replace your job, but someone using AI will.” The statement resonated with students, offering both a challenge and an opportunity to embrace this transformative technology.
He then gave the students the following advises both general and startup specific:
- Follow your passion. It makes everything easier (incl.becoming an expert and raising money).
- Be genuine and be nice to other people. Your reputation travels before you.
- Take control of your life and career. Nobody should care as much as you, and nobody will do it for you. Way too many freeride on their own lives.
- Work hard. It won’t be easy, but if you enjoy what you do, then you will find meaning in it and it is the journey and “every day” that matters.
- Invest in yourself. It is the best investment you will ever make
- Execute. If it takes less than 5min, then just do it now
- Take care of yourself. Life is a marathon, not a sprint (although it sometimes feels like it with deadlines, etc.), so set boundaries that work for you
- Use the ”regret minimization framework” if you believe start-up could be for you
- Have a co-founder, and dare to take the tough conversations – your relationship really matters
- If you build in AI, then go deep. Build a distinctive application not a generic chatbot
Kim wrapped up his talk by gifting all attendees a two-week free subscription and a special deal on Alice.Tech’s yearly plan – a thoughtful touch from a platform named after his grandmother.
Djøf: Supporting Students Beyond the Classroom
Djøf is a Danish trade union, representing 111,000 leaders, employees, self-employed individuals, and students in both the private and public sectors, primarily within law, economics, social sciences, and business.
In a short but impactful segment, Djøf introduced their initiatives for students, highlighting resources like career counselling, unemployment insurance fund, grants for study abroad, and courses on in-demand skills like Python and Excel. Their sponsorship also helped provide snacks and drinks for the event, showing their dedication to helping students both inside and outside of the classroom.
COLLAB: Icelandic Innovation on Display
Outside the auditorium, COLLAB, Iceland’s functional drink brand, set up a stand where students could try their three flavours: Passionfruit and Lime, Raspberry and Apricot, Elderflower and Lime. The energising collagen drink was a perfect complement to the theme of innovation, as it contains 5.6g of pure marine collagen protein, 105mg of natural caffeine, 6 different types of vitamin B, and 8 essential amino acids. Everyone who attended received a drink for the talk, and it’s safe to say the students hope to see COLLAB more at CBS (and maybe even permanently in the canteen).
Thank you to Alice.Tech, Djøf, and COLLAB for such a successful event!