Ethics and Transparency are Non-Negotiable: Which leads to this point. We’re in an AI boom; everyone is trying new things with technology, which makes ethical use and transparency non-negotiable. We’ve implemented strict guidelines to ensure our AI systems are free from bias and that users understand how decisions are made. This trust is essential for responsible innovation.
Artificial Intelligence is transforming industries at a breakneck pace, and the entrepreneurs driving this innovation are at the forefront of this revolution. From groundbreaking applications to ethical considerations, these visionaries are shaping the future of AI. What does it take to innovate in such a rapidly evolving field, and how are these entrepreneurs using AI to solve real-world problems? As a part of this series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Alessandro Cozzi, the Founder and CEO of Hello I.
Alessandro Cozzi has over 17 years of experience in business development and the acquisition, integration and management of companies up to $2 billion in revenue. Alessandro has mentored over 35 startups from pre-seed to Series A funding and understands the challenges of today’s job market.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series. Before we dive in, our readers would love to learn a bit more about you. Can you tell us a bit about your childhood backstory and how you grew up?
I grew up in Italy, in a city called Padova, just a short distance from Venice.
As the youngest of three, our family moved frequently due to my dad’s work. Although I didn’t get to see him much during my childhood because of his frequent travels, our bond has always been incredibly strong. Even now, despite living on opposite sides of the world, I still call him every day.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
What truly changed my career trajectory was the decision to step out of my comfort zone and move to a new country. I have my wife to thank for that — she was the one who encouraged me to take a role in Belgium. From that day forward, everything shifted: my career path, my mindset, my lifestyle, and so much more.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
I always say don’t choose the company to work for: choose your boss.
Your boss will have a greater impact on your career than anything else. They are the person who will mentor you, provide guidance, support you when you make mistakes (because you will), and ultimately decide your promotions. Especially when you’re at a junior or mid-level, the relationship with your boss should be your top consideration.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
Growth comes through challenge — if you don’t face hardship, you won’t grow. Every tough situation, every problem, and every moment when it feels like there’s no way out is an opportunity to evolve and become better.
Employers look for exactly this quality in people: How will you handle tough times? Will you stick with the team and find solutions when challenges arise?
You are a successful business leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
Resilience: When I first moved to Belgium, I barely spoke the language. My colleagues not only spoke English, but also French, German, and other languages. I felt out of place, unsure if I could fit in or succeed. There were moments when I considered quitting, but instead, I decided to take action. I enrolled in language classes, put in the effort to learn, and made a point of socializing with my colleagues. Within six months, I felt confident and at home in a new environment.
Positivity: During the Covid pandemic, I found myself in the US while my elderly parents were in Italy. With both of them over 80, I feared I might never see them again. But staying positive helped me navigate the difficult 1.5 years of uncertainty, and I managed to get through that period with hope, patience, and strength.
Flexibility: Early in my career, I envisioned a clear, linear path toward success. However, I quickly realized that things don’t always go as planned. The key is to embrace opportunities that come your way, even if they deviate from your original course. If I hadn’t been flexible and open to change, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
Ok super. Let’s now shift to the main part of our discussion. Share the story of what inspired you to start working with AI. Was there a particular problem or opportunity that motivated you?
The entire job market presents a unique challenge. I witnessed the frustration of candidates trying to level up their careers, searching for better opportunities, or figuring out what new skills to acquire, especially in light of the changes AI is bringing.
At the same time, companies were overwhelmed with a flood of resumes and struggled to identify the right candidates, often hindered by outdated tech stacks and inefficient recruitment processes. The disconnect between these two sides has become a significant pain point.
Describe a moment when AI achieved something you once thought impossible. What was the breakthrough, and how did it impact your approach going forward?
The true power of AI lies in its ability to understand and analyze complex text. This capability completely transformed my perception of AI. For the first time, I could provide meaningful, unstructured text data and have AI analyze it in a way that suited my needs — free from the constraints of rigid schemas. It opened up a whole new world of possibilities for how we can interact with and extract insights from information.
Talk about a challenge you faced when working with AI. How did you overcome it, and what was the outcome?
One of the biggest challenges I faced when working with AI was ensuring that the technology could handle the nuances of human language and context. Early on, we encountered situations where the AI would misinterpret subtle cues or fail to grasp the intent behind certain phrases. This was particularly problematic when dealing with unstructured text data, where precision and understanding are critical.
To overcome this, we invested heavily in refining our natural language processing (NLP) models, incorporating more diverse datasets, and continuously testing and iterating. The outcome was a significant improvement in the AI’s ability to analyze and interpret text accurately, which ultimately enhanced its usability and reliability for our clients.
Can you share an example of how your work with AI has had a meaningful impact (on others, on business results, etc)? What was the situation, and what difference did it make?
One of the most meaningful impacts of our work with AI has been in the recruitment space. We developed a solution that uses AI to match candidates with job opportunities based not just on their resumes, but on their skills, career aspirations, and cultural fit.
One particular instance stands out: a mid-career professional who had been struggling to find a role that aligned with their goals used our platform and was matched with a company that perfectly suited their skills and values. They’ve since thrived in that role, and the company reported higher employee satisfaction and retention. This demonstrated how AI can bridge the gap between talent and opportunity, creating meaningful outcomes for both individuals and organizations.
Based on your experience and success, can you please share “Five Things You Need To Know To Help Shape The Future of AI”?
AI is a Tool: There’s so much speculation on how AI can and will be used in the future — it almost seems like we’re getting ahead of ourselves. AI is a tool at the end of the day. We can solve so many issues by using AI, but only when we identify a problem and give it a targeted use. For example, in recruitment, AI can sort through hundreds of applications much better than a person could search the applications for keywords — but the final decision should always involve human judgment.
Ethics and Transparency are Non-Negotiable: Which leads to this point. We’re in an AI boom; everyone is trying new things with technology, which makes ethical use and transparency non-negotiable. We’ve implemented strict guidelines to ensure our AI systems are free from bias and that users understand how decisions are made. This trust is essential for responsible innovation.
Ensure Data Quality: The success of any AI system depends on the quality of the data it’s trained on. In fact, it’s very easy for human biases to bleed into AI biases. That was something we saw a lot in early development of Hello I. Whatever use you’re getting out of AI, investing in diverse and representative datasets is key.
Creative Thinking is Key: AI is not just automating tasks or processing data faster — it’s about finding creative ways to solve problems that were previously unsolvable. Think beyond the obvious applications and explore how AI can address unique challenges in innovative ways. This kind of creative application is where AI truly shines.
Adaptability Keeps You Ahead: Any new industry or technology sees dramatic shifts. Adaptability is about more than just keeping up with technology — it’s about preparing for potential shifts in the market and how society expects to use the tool. The future of AI will be about staying on top of advancements and understanding the needs of those who use it.
When you think about the future of AI, what excites you the most, and how do you see your work contributing to that future?
What excites me most about the future of AI is its potential to provide opportunity. It allows small businesses to compete with larger ones and makes education more accessible. AI has the power to create a more equitable world.
For us, it allows Hello I to level the playing field in the job market. Companies are getting hundreds of applications for job listings these days and don’t have an efficient way to find the applicants who can succeed in the role. I see us building tools that empower individuals and organizations to make better decisions.
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs who want to innovate in AI? Can you share a story from your experience that illustrates your advice?
My advice would be to focus on solving real, current problems in the world. Don’t chase the latest trends, or try to go too big too quickly.
When I started coming up with the idea for Hello I, it was easy to think too big — that Hello I could solve everything for everyone right from the start. Instead, we quickly realized the key was to address job seekers’ most immediate pain points. What are they struggling with right now as they look for a job?
Success comes from staying grounded in the needs of your users.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
It would be Tiger Woods.
Why? In a world that constantly pushes for multitasking, he stands out as the most focused person I’ve ever seen. Perhaps it’s worth shifting from multitasking to single-tasking — focusing on one thing at a time to achieve true greatness.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
You can find my personal LinkedIn here, or follow Hello I there as well. We’re really excited about the future and how we can revolutionize the job market, so stay tuned!
Additionally, you can keep an eye on our progress at helloi.ai.
Thank you so much for joining us. This was very inspirational, and we wish you continued success in your important work.
Alessandro Cozzi Of Hello I On Pushing the Boundaries of AI was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.