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How Nature Can Help Us Build the Technology of the Future
GERHARD GSCHWANDTNER, FOUNDER AND CEO, SELLING POWER
In a world crowded with self-proclaimed tech visionaries, Jean-Philippe M.L. Schepens van Thiel stands apart – not because he speaks about the future, but because he listens to the oldest teacher of all: nature.
Jean-Philippe, the dynamic and visionary CEO of AxonJay – and a self-described “techno-positivist” – believes that technology, if shaped correctly, can make business deci- sions not just faster, but wiser. His view isn’t theoretical. It’s rooted in a lifetime of observing both markets and migratory birds: two ecosystems where survival depends on agility, timing, and deep intelligence. In our conversation, Jean-Philippe smiled modestly as he explained his philosophy: “The Earth is an algo- rithm that has been optimizing itself
for over four billion years.” It’s a signature insight that blends a math- ematician’s rigor, an ornithologist’s patience, and an entrepreneur’s drive into a remarkably fresh perspective on AI and business.
At AxonJay, Jean-Philippe leads a
quiet revolution: predictive AI that is transparent, teachable, and constantly evolving. Instead of static models that decay over time, AxonJay’s algorithms learn, adapt, and improve – much like Darwin’s finches. Every predic- tion made by their system reveals not just the answer, but also the “why”
behind it. This invites users into a rare partnership with the machine. The company’s name itself tells a deeper story. “Axon” refers to the neural fibers that connect brain cells – the thicker and more active they are, the sharper the mind becomes. “Jay” honors one of nature’s smartest birds: the blue jay, capable of remember- ing up to 27 different places it has hidden food. Native Americans once observed blue jays to predict weather changes based on their gathering patterns – a living testament to real- time, high-stakes decision-making. “That’s what we want for our custom- ers: to spot rare opportunities, to re- member important signals, and to act with precision,” said Jean-Philippe. This transparency and agility are not trivial. As Jean-Philippe pointed out, most AI systems today are black boxes – expensive oracles you must keep revisiting for up- dates. The consultancy model gets
SELLING POWER JULY/AUGUST 2025 | 29 © 2025 SELLING POWER
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