In a world increasingly connected, where over 140 billion messages flood platforms like WhatsApp each day, a troubling paradox arises: many of us feel lonelier than ever. A recent study from Harvard reveals that a staggering 73% of participants attribute their loneliness to technology. Can we, then, reverse this trend? Can technology be leveraged not just to connect but to deepen our emotional understanding and relationships?

Paqui Lizana, tech strategist at IKEA, launched Brilliant Failures AI Exploration Studio this year alongside her partner in exploration, Jenny Nicholson. One of their first experiments delves into this critical question through Lovotics, a project created at the intersection of artificial intelligence, self-love, and the love we share with others.

This innovative framework is designed to create AI systems that enhance human emotional intelligence rather than diminish it. Lovotics takes a dual approach:

For Users: Principles to guide the effective use of AI as a tool for promoting empathy while encouraging personal growth in thinking and behaviour.
For Designers: Guidelines for creating AI systems that foster genuine social connection.

The framework stands as a blueprint for transparent AI systems that drive real human interaction.

“AI is the first technology that talks back to us,” Lizana explains, suggesting that it fundamentally alters how we perceive ourselves and our interactions with others. This duality of technology as a tool and a transformative force raises critical questions about our future relationships and the essence of human connection.

Through different projects, Lizana explores technology from a human perspective and highlights its transformative effects—not only on business productivity but on human relationships. “Every time you use AI, you give a piece of yourself to the model. It’s essential to understand how that shapes our thoughts and behaviours,” she explains. This reflective take on AI encourages users to engage with technology mindfully, positioning AI as a mirror that can reflect not just our inquiries but also our values and intentions.

An inspiring example of using AI to connect with loved ones is Lizana’s project “Regenerating Memories with AI.” In this innovative initiative, Lizana collaborated with her grandmother to harness the power of generative AI (GenAI) to recreate and enhance cherished memories. Together, they embarked on a journey to explore missing photographs from her grandmother's photo album, effectively reconnecting with moments that had faded over time.

Lizana reflects on their experience, stating, “we navigated together through the missing pictures in her photo album, created shared memories, and imagined experiences she was no longer able to pursue. Now, we have developed a digital gallery filled with images that existed solely in her memory, weaving together her unique story and purpose in life. These are no longer static memories; we could create videos and experiences, and who knows, in the future we might even be able to navigate through the brains, rituals, and cultures of our ancestors", she explains.

Imagining Experiences Prompt:

"I've never been able to swim or dive in the ocean. I'm too scared. I picture myself underwater, with strange fish all around me, and I don't know what else is in there... But, I also imagine myself floating, seeing the sunlight from above, and maybe a few fish trying to get tangled in my hair. I'm not sure if they'd help me get out or drag me down."

Reflecting on her childhood, Lizana reveals a unique interplay between creativity and technology. Growing up in a small northern Spanish town, she lacked the abundance of toys that many children today take for granted. Instead, she relied on her imagination and the simplicity of materials like paper, colored cotton balls, and cables to foster her creativity. “I developed an amazing imagination out of necessity,” she recalls, explaining how she would transform everyday objects into tools for invention.

Despite envisioning an artistic career, she ultimately followed her father's advice and studied Telecommunications Engineering. Her university experience was marked by intense studying; while her friends partied, she remained focused on navigating difficult subjects from microwaves to advanced algebra. Over time, she found excitement in understanding the unknown, the things we cannot see around us but shape our world.

After years focused on her studies, Lizana embarked on a professional journey that allowed her to blend her insatiable curiosity and creativity with the analytical mindset of an engineer. This unique combination has led her to work with prestigious international companies like HP Inc., the Volkswagen Group, and now IKEA .

Working at IKEA has even strengthened her passion for finding ways to apply tech for good and not to be afraid of making mistakes. As IKEA's founder, Ingvar Kamprad, said in one of Lizana´s favourite quotes: "Only while sleeping one makes no mistakes. Making mistakes is the privilege of the active — of those who can correct their mistakes and put them right."

Over her career, Lizana faced various challenges, particularly around self-advocacy. Reflecting on her past, she confides: “I wish I had been able to raise my hand and say, ‘Hey, I really want to do that project.’ Instead, she learned that hard work alone doesn’t always speak volumes in corporate settings. Empowerment, Lizana emphasises, extends beyond individual perseverance.

For those in similar positions today, she advises: “You need to work hard, but also smart and loud. You really need to explain what you are doing, your achievements, and be super consistent about that", she insists.

Throughout the years, she has also realised the importance of having a mentor and developing essential skills such as negotiation and storytelling. These skills prove invaluable for effectively promoting oneself and advancing professionally. Lizana highlights that many new professionals often overlook the significance of learning to articulate their contributions in a way that aligns with the company’s growth and goals. By focusing on these aspects, individuals can significantly enhance their impact and career trajectory.

For organisations seeking to implement AI, Lizana emphasises the need for a strategic approach. "Begin with core values and consider how technology can support and even elevate those principles. This isn’t just about adopting a new tool; it’s about shaping our human collective future,” she asserts. It is essential that all people are equipped to understand and critically assess how these technologies fit into their workplace culture and purpose.

Amidst ongoing change and tech advancements, Lizana strongly advocates for organisations to align their AI initiatives with core values. She emphasises, "This is going to affect everyone in the future because jobs will change and evolve."

"I believe 60% of my CV and tasks could be easily automated now," she reveals, having created a tool to analyse CVs and job descriptions and predict how likely they are to be replaced by machines. "You may not be performing the same role in three or four years, so it’s crucial to understand which aspects of your work you want to automate and which parts you want to augment", she adds.

Beyond any single topic, Lizana is passionate about elevating the human perspective and creating a world where we can innovate better. "These days, some companies are too busy thinking about how to bring AI to the table, no matter what," she notes. "I'm speaking to so many companies that are going to implement synthetic personas for testing and evaluation when they've never even sat together with a real customer. It's nuts".

"But we need to be mindful that AI alone won't solve the problems we have in our organisations regarding innovation and collaboration. Especially now, we need to evaluate our innovation systems and work on the dysfunctions we have (like bureaucracy, egos and silos), because otherwise, AI will only amplify these problems too", she explains.

Lizana was a featured speaker at international MIT and Forbes events in 2024, where she presented her research, "Reboot Innovation: A New Operating System for Innovation." Her work focuses on how organizations can build sustainable innovation systems that adapt over time, effectively navigating change and capitalizing on emerging opportunities. She advocates for bringing together passionate people to drive ideas to execution, irrespective of their origin or position within the organization. Lizana ultimately believes that organisations poised to thrive in the future will be those that solve challenges through a powerful synergy of three forces: The People (with their unique human capabilities), The Planet (leveraging nature's intelligence), and The Machines (artificial intelligence) – working collectively across the first two.

For those looking for ways to innovate and solve complex matters, Lizana recommends: "Fall in love with the problem you want to solve." She strongly believes that innovation is not a career path; it is a mindset cultivated through curiosity and empathy.

Looking ahead, she would like to be remembered “as someone who helped others discover that new ways are possible.” This sentiment encapsulates her belief in the power of technology when used with intention and clarity to enrich human experiences rather than diminish them.

In Lizana's vision, the future of relationships and technology is not about diminishing human connection but enhancing it through deeper understanding and intentional interaction. She suggests we need to bring new KPIs to the table, like Social Connection.

In bridging the gap between technology and empathy, Lizana exemplifies how we can explore innovations that make us not just smarter but also more authentically human. In a time when AI is often viewed with uncertainty, her insights offer a refreshing perspective on how technology can serve as a catalyst for connection, creativity, and understanding of what it means to be human - "messy, bold, and potentially weird", she adds.

"Because what makes us human is our imperfections, our traditions and routines, our learnings from sorrows and amazing attempts", she concludes.

Paqui recommends

Instead of books or podcasts, Paqui recommends: "Spend time with a little one and let their wonder-filled perspective shake up your business thinking. Sometimes the best leadership insights come from those who still believe in magic.”

What´s next in her journey?

Future Explorations
Paqui continues investigating how to integrate her unique approach to technology innovation leadership, combining human-centred design with healing and transformation principles. Part of this journey includes the Bioleadership Fellowship 2025 and her project Mother Nature in the Boardroom.

Elevating Working Moms
Jenny and Paqui are launching the first AI crash course specifically designed for working moms. For more information, you can contact them here.

Speaking Engagements 2025
In 2025, Lizana will be speaking at events such as The Economist Innovation Summit (London), Fast Company Innovation by Design (Doha) and Future Days Ambassador (Lisbon).

How can companies be part of the solution?

Leverage Technology for Connection: Explore how your technological offerings can enhance emotional understanding and foster deeper connections rather than contributing to feelings of isolation.
Implement Empathy-Driven AI: Develop and integrate AI systems that prioritise empathy and transparency, ensuring they drive meaningful interactions and promote positive emotional engagement.
Promote Awareness of Side Effects: Educate employees about the potential impacts of AI technologies, including the emotional aspects and biases, to ensure mindful usage that reflects personal and organisational values.
Encourage Self-Reflection: Foster a culture where team members reflect on how their interactions with technology shape their thoughts and behaviours, viewing AI as a tool for enhanced self-awareness.
Focus on Core Values: Anchor all technology initiatives to the company's core values and mission, ensuring that new tools and processes support and elevate these principles.
Support Continuous Learning: Provide opportunities for employees at all levels to understand AI and its significance in shaping future workplaces, ensuring everyone has the knowledge necessary to adapt to changes.
Value Mentorship and Skill Development: Promote mentorship within the organisation, encouraging employees to develop critical skills such as negotiation, storytelling, and self-advocacy for personal and professional growth.
Encourage Problem-Solving Mindset: Instil a culture of curiosity by encouraging employees to "fall in love with the problem" they wish to solve, thus nurturing innovation as a mindset rather than merely a career path.
Empower Employees' Voices: Create an environment where employees feel empowered to express their ideas and contributions openly. Encourage them to communicate their achievements and passions clearly and confidently.
Emphasise Responsible Technology Use: Foster discussions around the ethical implications of technology, ensuring employees understand their responsibilities when using AI and other digital tools to enhance their work.