The award recognises inspiring professionals who are making a difference in their field and who contribute to this year’s theme: AI: The New Engine of Marketing and Market Research.

The Data & Insights Network (NL) is the central Dutch professional association and knowledge hub for the data, analytics, insights. It connects a broad ecosystem of professionals, organisations, and thought leaders who work with human data to generate evidence-based understanding of consumers, citizens, markets, and society. The network also serves as an important platform for innovation, particularly in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, data-driven decision-making, and the ethical use of data.

Human-like AI

Weihrauch presented her work at the Data & Insights Network Symposium 2026, which took place on 21 May as part of the selection process. The symposium brought together a strong line-up of professionals, researchers, and thought leaders, showcasing how AI, data, and human insights are fundamentally transforming marketing and market research. In her presentation, Weihrauch focused on how artificial intelligence is increasingly designed to feel human-like, with voices, names, faces, and interaction styles that shape how users perceive and engage with it. She highlighted how AI representation can both reflect and reproduce social stereotypes, particularly when AI agents are gendered, racialised, or placed in stereotypical roles. At the same time, the talk explored whether more diverse and counter-stereotypical AI design could challenge existing biases rather than reinforce them.

The winner will be announced during the network’s annual gala at the end of June.