Employee Spotlight: Ioanna Lykiardopoulou

Meet Ioanna Lykiardopoulou, Content Strategist at KickstartAI. With a background in education and journalism, Ioanna brings a unique perspective to our team. Her goal is to write stories that matter and shape how KickstartAI shares knowledge, insights, and ideas with the word.

Let's dive into her journey, what drives her work, and how she aims to support the Dutch AI ecosystem.

What’s your role at KickstartAI? 

I’m KickstartAI’s content strategist. I’m responsible for all our content, from our articles and blogs to our podcast and the newsletter we recently launched together with the community team. I also help craft our narrative and work closely with nearly everyone on the team. 

My role combines many different elements: strategy, storytelling, writing, editing, communications. This diversity is something I really enjoy. 

What’s your background, and how did you enter the AI industry?

I fell in love with languages and the ancient world at a very young age, so I decided to study Classics (Ancient Greek and Latin language and literature). After my studies, I worked as a teacher for about six years, before debating whether I’d move on to a career in academia or pursue a career in writing and journalism. 

I opted for the second option, and in 2021, I joined TNW as a tech journalist — that was my first contact with the technology world. At first, I wasn’t convinced this world would be the right fit for me. But it didn’t take too long for my skepticism to turn into fascination, especially for science-based technologies or technologies that support social good. 

I covered the European tech and startup scene for four years, with a focus on AI, deep tech, healthtech, and policy. So when KickstartAI came across my path, it felt like a natural step. 

What do you enjoy about working here? 

The team! It’s great to be surrounded by people who aren’t just intelligent, but also very kind and fun to be around. I’m learning a lot from them. 

What drives you in your work? 

Telling stories that matter and translating complex topics is definitely one part. Researching and learning is another. I’m also very mission-driven, so working for an organization that’s using technology for good is a big motivating factor. 

How does your work impact the broader AI industry in the Netherlands?

I believe sharing knowledge, insights, and important lessons is essential for the AI ecosystem. If we want to grow, we need to learn from each other and disseminate information that everyone can benefit from. 

What’s an AI field that excites you? 

I love the intersection of language and AI, be it translation technology or multilingual LLMs and the intricacies of language diversity. Lately, I’ve been reading a lot about AI’s use in text restoration. I can’t wait for the time when models will be able to decode undeciphered ancient scripts, such as Linear A! 

What’s your advice to people considering a career in AI? 

If the field interests you, there’s a role for you in it. The AI industry needs people from different backgrounds to help shape how we develop and use this technology. The more voices contribute, the more we can move towards human-centric AI. My advice is: understand your skills and how you can apply them in this space. 

Fun fact about you? 

I’ve read the Harry Potter books so many times that I remember entire passages by heart! And yes, as a kid, I was very disappointed I never got a letter from Hogwarts. 

💡 Want to learn more about KickstartAI and our mission to accelerate AI adoption in the Netherlands? Check out our website, explore our open positions, or connect with Ioanna on LinkedIn!